Tattooed ‘Leopard man of Skye’ dies in Highland care home

A north man who became famous the world over for his leopard spot tattoos has died.

Tom Leppard, known as the Leopard Man of Skye, was covered from head to toe in the distinctive spots.

The 80-year-old lived in a bothy on the island for more than two decades but had latterly moved to a care home in Inverness where he has died.

Born Tom Wooldridge he was once recognised as the world’s most tattood man by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Residing by Loch na Beiste, he would travel to the mainland by kayak for food and supplies.

In 2008, after he moved to Inverness, he said he had no regrets about living a hermit lifestyle.

He said: “I was perfectly happy in the bothy but I’m like everyone else. I’m getting too old for that kind of life.

“I had to canoe to Kyle once a week for shopping and it was getting too hard for me.

“I was one big wave away from disaster. It’s a pretty nasty stretch of water.