A St Andrews woman is hoping it is only the freezing water that bites when she takes on a gruelling charity swim across Loch Ness.
Kirsten Jenkins, 24, will brave icy nine-degree water and choppy waves when she and her team attempt to cross the home of Nessie.
She will be part of a six-strong squad whose members will form a relay team to complete the 23-mile journey in the inaugural Aspire Loch Ness Relay.
Kirsten is one of only two members of the team who are not ex-channel swimmers, and she is also the only Scot taking part.
She said: “I am a keen swimmer and did a charity swim in Elie last year and also the Great Scottish swim, but they were only one and two miles. This is considerably longer.
“Swimming for an hour in turn, I’d say I will personally do between four and six miles. I will be wearing a triathlon wetsuit so hopefully combining that with going fast enough will be enough to block out the cold.”
The group will be escorted by an RIB (rigid inflatable boat), kayak and a main support vessel to ensure their safety.
Kirsten added: “The waves can be a challenge, especially depending on the wind direction. You just have to try and power your way through it. Luckily, Loch Ness isn’t tidal so it’s less of an issue. You also have to deal with the feeling of being on your own, which is a challenge in itself.”
The group is seeking to raise more than £4,500 for Aspire, a spinal injury charity that works to help individuals achieve independence following their life-changing injury.
The charity provides support, advice and services to spinal injury victims, including hospital visits, temporary accessible housing, and lightweight wheelchairs.
“I like doing charity events and try to give myself one big charity challenge a year. This seemed like the ultimate challenge for me at the moment,” Kirsten said.
“I did a cycle ride in Loch Ness earlier in the year. Maybe if I do a run next year, I can tick off a sporting triathlon.”
To sponsor Kirsten, whose swim will take place on August 9, visit www.justgiving.com/KirstenSwimsLochNess.