Swimmer fails in Minch challenge

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A swimmer has failed in his bid to become the first to cross the Minch, the channel which separates the Western Isles from the Scottish mainland.

Stephen Brass, from Uist, hoped to swim the 25 miles from Lochmaddy in North Uist to Milovaig on north-west Skye.

But he was forced to give up just 90 minutes into the challenge after developing cramp.

The attempt was to raise money for Macmillan cancer nurses, coastguard teams and the Police Benevolent Fund.

Mr Brass is said to be considering another attempt in the future. The Minch swim is similar in distance to the English Channel, but generally has stronger currents and worse weather.

Last July, a Gaelic BBC radio presenter completed his attempt to row from Lewis on the Western Isles to mainland Scotland.

Niall Iain Macdonald reached Ullapool after crossing the Minch and Loch Broom in his boat, CrazyBrave, 26 hours after leaving Stornoway.

He made the crossing to raise money for charity.