A group of nine charity fundraisers have set off on a bid to be the first to swim to St Kilda.
The 60 miles distance – as the crow flies – is nearly doubled when swimming through the water.
Each of the nine takes a 45 minute turn in the water and and they aim to reach St Kilda in about 50 hours They are accompanied by three kayakers and a support boat.
After last minute checks and a delay due to tide and currents, team leader Colin Macleod dipped into the sea and, accompanied by a support kayaker, ploughed through the waves towards open water.
The team is raising cash for Yorkhill Children’s Charity, the Leanne Fund and The Fishermen’s Mission via www.stkildaswim.co.uk
In 2012, the group swam the Minch in relay formation between Ullapool and Stornoway, fending off whales and dolphins to average a speed of 1.5 knots. It took the Big Minch Swim Team 34 hours and they raised almost £23,500 for RNLI lifeboats.
