A BOLD bagpiper from Cove is preparing to take on his latest daredevil stunt – and this time it will all be in aid of charity.

Roddy Garden, 51, is a member of the Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun Pipe Band and has built up a reputation in recent years for his thrill-seeking challenges involving his trusty instrument.

A YouTube video posted in 2017, showing Roddy kilted out and playing Scotland the Brave while being thrown 40 metres down off the Highland Fling bungee jump in Killiecrankie, has been viewed almost 250,000 times.

He has also ‘performed’ on a zipline and a bungee swing, and has now set his sights on crossing Loch Long at the end of the month to raise money for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

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Using a specially adapted floating bike, he will attempt to cycle two miles across the loch while playing his bagpipes and he told the Advertiser that the idea has been a long time in planning.

“This is my first charity challenge, but I’ve done other challenges before,” said Roddy.

“A lot of folk had been saying to me that I needed to do something for charity as everything else up until now has been spur of the moment.

“I’ve thought about it for quite a while. Initially I was going to do it with a two-wheel bike, but then a friend gave me a tricycle and I welded the axels together so that the wheels turn at the same time.

“It has paddles at each side, like a miniature Waverley.

“I’ve given it a test run and it works well.”

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Roddy, who works in the film and TV industry, will attempt his Loch Long cycle on Saturday, September 28 and, weather permitting, he hopes to successfully complete it one way or another.

He said: “By hook or by crook we are getting across that loch, even if it takes the whole weekend. You never know until you go.

“I’m excited about it even if it does go wrong. I’m a determined character, as long as the weather isn’t too rough.”

Roddy is raising money directly for CHAS and Robin House in Balloch and so far almost £500 has been donated to the cause.

He added: “I chose CHAS because I feel sorry for the kids and they need all the help and love and compassion they can get.

“Hopefully this will give them a lift and I’m hoping that some of them can come along on the day and see it first-hand.

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“I haven’t set a target, but the more I raise the better. It doesn’t matter what happens to me, it’s all about raising money for the kids.”

As for his next act, he is remaining tight-lipped, pending the success of the loch cycle, of course.

“I’ve always got something up my sleeve,” he continued, “and I have another one planned for later this year, but I’m keeping that a secret just now.”