Loch Ness swimmers in kilts brave icy waters to raise thousands of pounds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charity
Six gutsy swimmers have completed a monster challenge on Loch Ness after braving the icy waters in kilts to raise cash to fight Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Extremely ‘choppy’ conditions on the world famous water body failed to deter the team, three of whom completed the first stretch of the challenge weighed down by heavy sodden Scottish Highland dress.
Deeper and colder than the North Sea, Loch Ness is a notoriously difficult swim in the best of summer conditions.
But having previously tested the waters on a flat calm day in sweltering 26C heat, Daniel Walls and his gang of hardy companions endured white horses on the surface on a 15C day setting off from Dores beach.
They have already smashed through their £5k fundraising target and aim to keep the figure rising above £6-7k by this evening.
Finishing after around two and a half hours proved emotional for all of the participants, not least Daniel who was motivated to embark on the fundraiser in honour of one of his best friends.
Lachlan Campbell, who Daniel has known from the age of six, suffers from the debilitating progressive, life-shortening condition.
“It went really well, but I’ll tell you what what, I’m told it was a nine foot swell on the loch whatever that means!” Daniel, from Dunfermline, who works for event sponsors Braveheart Auctions, said.
“It was pretty gruelling but all worth it when we finished. We went in with the kilts on, but they came off after a wee while.
“It is about two kilos of weight when soaking wet and the swim is hard enough with or without kilts.
“We were supposed to do it last weekend in perfect conditions, but today the waves were unreal, but it was absolutely worth it - we all finished in the end.
“Lachlan was there at the start and at the end to congratulate us. It was very emotional for everyone involved - lots of smiles at the end, but everyone had a tear in their eye.”
The swim was supported by a safety boat, with Aileen Anne MacGregor, Alistair MacGregor, Ross MacGregor, Stephen McCluskey and Henry Collins joining Daniel in the heroic effort.
“The two and a half miles felt like about 10!” Daniel admitted.
“I’d heard about the cold you feel and I believe it now. It takes your breath away, but the guys and I have been taking preparations very seriously with a lot of wild swimming at different places around Scotland to get the stamina up and get the body used to the shock of the cold.
“It couldn’t have gone better and it made it even more satisfying in those conditions, because we knew we had a fight on our hands.
“We did it, and people are still donating - and that’s the main point we want to get out there.
“Even though we finished the challenge, the fight goes on to raise more money and awareness for this condition.”
The fundraising page can be found HERE.