This guy is BRILLIANT!
The Isle of Skye is off the west coast of the Scottish Mainland and IT IS COLD! I spent a few nights there, in Kyleakin at The Saucy Mary Hostel in 2004 in the hope of meeting the infamous Tom The Leopard Man, but it was without result. Well, I say without result but I managed to drink plenty of Tequilla during my stay ; )
Tom is a London born loner who made the ballsy choice to cover his body in "the biggest tattoo in the world"... and he did it. In fact, with 99.2% of his body covered in the leopard design, Tom held the Guiness World Record for most tattooed person until 2006. Not content with the Ink modification, Tom had cosmetic modification dentistry to push the boundary of his Leopard Man look with wicked results!
Tom lived as a recluse on the Island, in a self modelled cabin, without furniture, running water or electricity for 21 years. Weekly canoe trips across to town on the mainland to stock up on his fave tinned food were dangerous... and bloody cold... but worth it for the man who claims he is more alone in a city filled with people. I get that, and I have some serious respect for the man. How many people are brave enough to make that choice? and keep making it every winter for 21 years when the weather on Skye is the coldest of the cold!
In 2008, at 72 years, Tom chose to trade his life of recluse for one with a bed and warm water. I really get that. The weekly canoe trip to the mainland was becoming harder and lets face it... the now 74 year old ex-military man deserves a little comfort.
So I never did meet Tom, but can claim fame on behalf of my man, a Royal Navy Clearance Diver, who met Tom at his dwelling and helped him out with transporting some supplies.
The Isle of Skye is off the west coast of the Scottish Mainland and IT IS COLD! I spent a few nights there, in Kyleakin at The Saucy Mary Hostel in 2004 in the hope of meeting the infamous Tom The Leopard Man, but it was without result. Well, I say without result but I managed to drink plenty of Tequilla during my stay ; )
Tom is a London born loner who made the ballsy choice to cover his body in "the biggest tattoo in the world"... and he did it. In fact, with 99.2% of his body covered in the leopard design, Tom held the Guiness World Record for most tattooed person until 2006. Not content with the Ink modification, Tom had cosmetic modification dentistry to push the boundary of his Leopard Man look with wicked results!
Tom lived as a recluse on the Island, in a self modelled cabin, without furniture, running water or electricity for 21 years. Weekly canoe trips across to town on the mainland to stock up on his fave tinned food were dangerous... and bloody cold... but worth it for the man who claims he is more alone in a city filled with people. I get that, and I have some serious respect for the man. How many people are brave enough to make that choice? and keep making it every winter for 21 years when the weather on Skye is the coldest of the cold!
In 2008, at 72 years, Tom chose to trade his life of recluse for one with a bed and warm water. I really get that. The weekly canoe trip to the mainland was becoming harder and lets face it... the now 74 year old ex-military man deserves a little comfort.
So I never did meet Tom, but can claim fame on behalf of my man, a Royal Navy Clearance Diver, who met Tom at his dwelling and helped him out with transporting some supplies.
I was dead jealous!
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