A German adventurer has balanced his way into the record books after his alternative take on reaching the summit of Orkney’s Old Man of Hoy.
When Alexander Schultz first stepped on to a line suspended almost 450 feet above the sea at the landmark, he admitted it was “scary”.
But he kept walking – to become the first person make the journey from the summit of the Old Man of Hoy and back again on a high wire.
The 26-year-old adventurer, who has taken parts in breathtaking feats around the world, said it was hard going in gusty conditions and he had to give the walk his full concentration.
It took Mr Schultz and his team two months to plan and prepare for the Old Man of Hoy walk and the team were very careful not to do anything to cause any damage to the famous rock.
His fantastic 600 foot long crossing was witnessed by Peter and Rachel Hazelhurst, both 59, who were out for a walk to see the famous Orkney landmark at the time.
Mrs Hazelhurst said: “We were just coming along and saw a line which we thought was a bit strange. Then we saw Mr Schultz walking over the sea – it was just amazing.
“It’s something we never thought we would see and something we’ll never forget. A Northlink ferry was passing at the same time too. When he finished, we went over and spoke to him and thanked him for giving us such a great show.
“He’s a lovely lad.”
The couple who are on holiday on the island from East Sussex, also watched as members of Mr Schultz’s team went back over to the famous landmark afterwards to safely remove the line.
Mrs Hazlehurst added: “”The puffins were watching them as they abseiled back down.
“We’ve certainly had adventures on this holiday – we’ve seen Orca whales, sea eagles and a chap walking over from the Old Man of Hoy.
“It was just fantastic to watch.”
Mr Schultz, from Rosenheim in Germany, started slacklining seven years ago. Although it is similar to tightrope walking, the main difference is that flat webbing is used in the line. But the slackline tension is also considerably less, which means it can stretch and bounce like a long narrow trampoline.
He said: “As a boy, I went climbing, hiking, skiing, canyoning, caving and mountain biking.
“But when I stood on a slackline for the first time in the summer of 2008, I knew this is exactly the type of sport I’ve always wanted to do.”
With his successful attempt walking from the Old Man of Hoy behind him, Mr Schultz is now on his way to China and his next slacklining challenge in the sky.