Former sailor from Eriskay in oldest bungee jump claim

John Macdonald takes the plunge at Killiecrankie

A former sailor is claiming the title of Scotland's oldest bungee jumper.

John Macdonald, of Eriskay, dropped 40m (131ft) from the Garry Bridge in Killiecrankie, Perthshire, to mark his 80th birthday.

He had not expected to live beyond 60 after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1964.

Highland Fling Bungee, which runs the bridge jump, said Mr Macdonald had overtaken Denis Gallagher, 73, as Scotland's oldest bungee jumper.

Mr Gallagher, from Ayrshire, made his jump in November last year.

The oldest recorded bungee jumper in the world is a 94-year-old who jumped in New Zealand, Highland Fling Bungee said.

Mr Macdonald was diagnosed with diabetes in 1964

Mr Macdonald was diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor in Brazil.

He said: "I have had diabetes for 48 years and, when I was lying in hospital in Rio in 1964, I reckoned I would be very lucky to live past the age of 60.

"To do this, then, was special and I hope this gives younger ones who have diabetes something to encourage them a bit - an old guy like me managing to do a bungee jump."

Mr Macdonald added: "More and more young people are getting diabetes these days and it must be very, very hard for them.

"I think a lot of people do more sitting in front of computers now and maybe don't get the same level of exercise.

"However, if you can control your diabetes and stay as active as you can, diabetes doesn't have to stop you achieving things."