The Leopard Man of Skye changes his spot

A man made famous for his leopard-spot tattoos has left his life in the wild for the comfort of a one-bedroom house.

For the past 20 years, Tom Leppard, known as the Leopard Man of Skye, has lived in a remote bothy under a roof made from plastic sheeting.



The cabin, on a stretch of shoreline near Kyleakin, had no electricity or furniture and he had to canoe three miles for his weekly shopping. Mr Leppard, 73, said: "I'm getting too old for that kind of life."

The London-born pensioner said he was slowly adjusting to his new life in Broadford, on Skye. "It's certainly very strange being surrounded by four walls and a roof but I'll get used to it," he said.



"I'm getting bits of furniture together all the time and I'm getting used to sleeping in a bed at night - it's certainly more comfortable than I'm used to and electricity is very convenient."

Mr Leppard, who spent £5,500 covering his body in leopard-like spots, was the world's most tattooed man - a crown he held until recently.