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The Hebrides' wild swimming 'real-life' mermaid

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

image copyrightBBC Alba/MacTV
image captionKate 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.

image copyrightBBC Alba/MacTV
image captionKate 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.

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

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