A Fife lifeboat volunteer is to swim across the Firth of Forth to Inchkeith Island and back in a unique charity challenge.
Donnie McLean will attempt the arduous five-mile round trip from Kinghorn beach to the island next month, to raise funds for the lifesaving charity.
The 42-year-old, who as been on the Kinghorn RNLI team for a year, is thought to be the first person ever to take on the challenge.
He will have to battle treacherous tidal currents in the Forth while swimming across a busy shipping lane.
As well as dodging boats of all sizes, Donnie faces the threat of jellyfish stings and being struck by floating debris.
The idea for the swim came about because of Donnie’s fascination with Inchkeith Island.
He said: “I find the the island intriguing and a little mysterious, especially with the now deserted building there, and just wondered if I could swim out to it.
Special permission to cross shipping channel
“I can’t actually go on to the island as it’s protected.
“Furthermore, I’ve had to apply for special permission from Forth Ports Authority to be allowed to swim across what is an extremely busy shipping channel.
“But I’ll get close enough for a look, reaching the island before I head straight back.”
Donnie estimates the challenge will take between two-and-a-half and three hours, depending on tide and weather conditions.
He said: “We aim to to go between high and low tide, which is known as ‘slack tide’, when there is the least amount of tidal flow.
“I’ll also be accompanied throughout the swim by my colleague Mark Brown in a boat.
“Mark has 15 years’ experience on the RNLI team so I’ll be in safe hands if I should get in difficulty.”
Neil Chalmers, Kinghorn RNLI helm, says the swim will be particularly difficult.
He said: “I think you have to to be a little mad to take it on – but in all seriousness I take my hat off to Donnie for doing it.
Tidal flow one of the main challenges
“The tidal flow will be one of Donnie’s main challenges but he’ll have the full support of his fellow crew members during his attempt.
“What’s more, we’ll be cheering him on all the way and hoping he doesn’t get stung by any jellyfish during the attempt.”
Donnie is no stranger to water-based challenges – having completed the task of swimming one million kilometres in a year for charity, five years ago.
He added: “That was pretty tough going, especially as I completed it by swimming 1,000 lengths indoors in one go.
“That was grim so I’m hoping to and from Inchkeith Island will be a bit easier.”
Donnie will attempt the swim, weather permitting, on Saturday September 4 – setting off around noon from Kinghorn beach.
An online donations page has been set up in support of his effort.