An 80-year-old man has become Scotland’s oldest bungee jumper. John Macdonald, of Eriskay, in the Outer Hebrides, recently celebrated his milestone birthday by plummeting 40 metres from Garry Bridge in Killiecrankie, Perthshire.

John, who also has type 1 diabetes, hopes that his brave jump will encourage young diabetes sufferers in Scotland to manage their situation by staying as active as possible.

He said: “I have had diabetes for 48 years and when I was diagnosed I lay in hospital thinking I’d 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.

“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.”

John reckons his fitness regime has helped him to achieve his grand age – and the bungee jump. He was first diagnosed with diabetes in 1964 while serving with the Royal Navy in Brazil.

On his birthday, 12 of his closest family and friends travelled to Highland Fling Bungee’s state-of-the-art jump platform to watch him take the leap.

Highland Fling Bungee spokesman, Murray Trail, confirmed that John had broken Scottish records. He said: “John is officially the most senior jumper we have had, by seven years, which makes him the most senior bungee jumper in Scotland to date. He is a truly inspirational guy.”

The oldest recorded bungee jumper in the world was an un-named 94-year- old who jumped in New Zealand.