Real-life mermaid in seas and lochs

Kate MacLeod 24-year-old from Uig, Lewis is often swimming in seas and lochs around the West coast of Lewis during gale-force conditions complete with her own Ariel style tail fin, in summer and winter at the Outer Hebrides. She started her interest in wild swimming when she was a girl and for the last 10 years taken to the waters of the sea and lochs after she became an experienced swimmer in open water exploring her western island home’s sea and lochs, by wearing a custom made mermaid tail.

Kate says “ I do get some very strange looks, from experienced fishermen because they go through all these courses about all the dangers of the sea. They are also taught how to save lives and to survive exposure if they end up in the water – then they see me splashing around.”

Kate was raised in the Outer Hebrides by boat company owner dad Murray and mum Janet along with her brother Seumas.

Kate began using monofin for her dips before having mermaid tails custom made in Hawaii which cost around £100. “ I got another silver one which makes me look like a bit giant mackerel. I can’t imagine there are any mermaids in Scotland because it is just so cold. I have always been into mermaid mythology and sea creatures But when I got the full tail on I kind of feel like one of them when I am in the water”.

It is no Disney adventure when faced with the unforgiving North Atlantic weather conditions.

It is part of a four-part documentary – Mermaid Tales- for BBC Alba, with the first episode shown on16 March.