Swimmer completes Minch challenge

A woman has become the first person to swim the Little Minch between the Scottish islands of Harris and Skye.

Part-time swimming instructor Eilidh Macdonald, 22, raised money for three charities by completing the 15-mile crossing.

Ms Macdonald, who now lives in Newcastle, set off by boat from Leverburgh on Harris on Thursday morning.

Her swim back to Harris from Skye took her nine hours and 33 minutes.

Ms MacDonald, originally from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, has family links with the Western Isles.

She was inspired to make the attempt after a suggestion from her uncle, Murray Macleod.

Last April, another swimmer failed in his bid to become the first to cross the Minch - a larger channel which separates the Western Isles from the Scottish mainland.

Stephen Brass, from Uist, had hoped to swim the 25 miles from Lochmaddy in North Uist to Milovaig on north-west Skye.

But he was forced to give up just 90 minutes into the challenge after developing cramp.