A PEEBLES swimmer has made a huge splash by becoming the first woman to ever swim the three longest lochs in Scotland.

Caroline Connor had raised £5,700 for charity in the summer with an attempt at swimming the English Channel.

But sea-sickness of her back-up crew husband, Grahame, led to the swim being aborted.

A disappointed Caroline decided to make amends by completing more mammoth swims to justify the generous sponsorship.

After swimming the entire length of Lake Windermere and then back again on July 17 - a distance of 21 miles in 10 hours and 31 minutes - she decided to complete the Scottish Triple Lochs.

Caroline had already swam the length of Loch Lomond in 2017 and last year went from one end of Loch Awe to the other.

Last month she completed the Triple Lochs - the first woman to do so - by swimming the entire length of Loch Ness.

The 23 miles took 10 hours and 40 minutes.

Caroline told us: "Following the English Channel disappointment in June, I decided that I had to do something else to justify the £5700 I'd raised for my two special charities, Diabetes UK & Parkinsons UK.

"I am absolutely over the moon at completing these two amazing swims over the summer break.

"The Windermere swim was a real confidence booster after my Channel attempt and by the time it came to Loch Ness I just knew I was capable of swimming confidently in which are quite unforgiving waters.

"Yes, Grahame was with me but he was not on either boat.

"To become the first Scottish woman to complete the three longest lochs in Scotland is such an honour and will be something that I will remember for a very long time.

"I love my swimming especially outdoors but I think I will allow myself a few weeks of gentle swimming before I start to plan my next challenge - I have lots of ideas!"

Caroline has supported both Diabetes UK and Parkinsons UK for several years.

And she is grateful for all the support she continues to receive in her fundraising challenges.

Caroline added: "I would like to thank all the people who have sponsored me and I'm pleased that the totals raised for each charity are already being put to great use.

"I would also like to thank all my friends and family, especially Grahame and my mum and dad for the unlimited support and also to Peebles Hydro Leisure Club for the amazing encouragement.

"Lastly, to the family of the late Robbie Pincott who sadly died from complications related to his type 1 diabetes in 2018.

"Robbie was one in a million and it is Robbie who inspires and motivates me to take on these challenges and to push myself when the training gets tough. You are such special friends."