The buzz of trying to spot the mythical monster of Loch Ness draws thousands of people to the centre of Scotland, but this time it was the Sailors' Society's charity fundraiser that pulled in a lively but somewhat smaller-than-expected group of shipping folk to the remoteness of the Highlands.

A group of 11 canoeists battled tiredness and varying weather conditions to complete the 60-mile (96-kilometre) expedition earlier this month along the Great Glen Canoe Trail from Fort William to Inverness over four days, helping to raise nearly £19,300 ($25,200) for the maritime charity,...