A north-east surfing champion completed a swim of the Pentland Firth in memory of his girlfriend and to raise funds for the maternity unit in Orkney where she worked.
Mark “Scratch” Cameron from Fraserburgh set out on the challenge from Burwick in South Ronaldsay and, accompanied by a local fisherman, reached the shore at Duncansby Head after four hours and 15 minutes.
The 40-year-old seven-time Scottish amateur surfing champion said the seven-mile swim is aiming to raise £4,000 for the maternity ward at the Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall.
It was there that his girlfriend, Ena Brown, had worked as a midwife nurse before she died suddenly earlier this year at the age of 41.
The pair had met in December last year but their relationship quickly blossomed and they spoke about having children after two weeks of dating.
Mr Cameron, who stays in a cottage by the shore in Fraserburgh, said: “I am sure she would be over the moon at this, and her friends and family have been very supportive.”
The offshore worker took to the water earlier this week to take advantage of favourable tides and sea conditions.
He added: “We hit a bit of chop for the first hour and then the tide eased off and I just ploughed through.
“At the end, it seemed like I only had about 10 minutes to go but a whole hour passed. Even though I could see the shore, I really thought it was over in that last mile.
“The conditions are brutal – the tide gets up to 9 knots (10.3mph) and I am swimming at 2 knots (2.3mph). If you don’t have the fitness and mental strength then it’s not going to be doable.
“I kissed the rocks when I got there.”
Mr Cameron said that he is already thinking about trying to make the swim an annual charity event.
Anyone who would like to donate should visit
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/susan-bruce-1?utm_id=108&utm_term=KeQ8rQ6Pr
