The Hebrides' wild swimming 'real-life' mermaid

A wild swimmer has been exploring the Western Isles' coast in a custom-made mermaid tail.

BBC Alba/MacTV Kate MacleodBBC Alba/MacTV
Kate MacLeod swimming using one of her custom-made mermaid tails

Kate MacLeod, from Uig, Lewis, started her interest in wild swimming when she was a girl and for the last 10 years has taken to the waters of the sea and lochs in both summer and winter.

BBC Alba/MacTV Kate MacleodBBC Alba/MacTV
Kate says islanders have a strong bond with the sea

She said: "Living on an island you are bound to be drawn to the sea. It is in my blood."

The 24-year-old has made a four-part documentary - Mermaid Tales - for BBC Alba. The first episode will be shown on 16 March.

BBC Alba/MacTV Kate MacleodBBC Alba/MacTV
The tails are made in Hawaii to fit over a flipper called a monofin
BBC Alba/MacTV Kate MacleodBBC Alba/MacTV
Kate says swimming in a mermaid tail has caused fishing boats to stop with the crews wondering what she is doing
BBC Alba/MacTV Western IslesBBC Alba/MacTV
Kate has become an experienced open water swimmer after years of exploring her island home's sea and lochs
BBC Alba/MacTV Kate MacleodBBC Alba/MacTV
The 24-year-old has made a new documentary about the Western Isles and her interest in wild swimming
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The documentary explores locations along the Outer Hebrides' island chain
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The Western Isles is famous for its beaches
BBC Alba/MacTV Kate Macleod and pony on beachBBC Alba/MacTV
Only wild horses - or a pony in this case - can drag Kate away from the sea
BBC Alba/MacTV Kate MacleodBBC Alba/MacTV
Kate says the tail makes it harder to swim but that it adds to the "magical" experience of wild swimming
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The four-part documentary series, Mermaid Tales, starts next week on Gaelic channel BBC Alba
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