Video: Plucky fox manages to swim ashore at Longniddry Bents

The Mull Wildlife Group was on a sightseeing trip when members spotted the "orange head" out on the rocks.

The handsome fox was stranded out at sea after seemingly getting trapped while lying in wait for birds off the beach in Longniddry.

A plucky fox was spotted making its way ashore at Longniddry. Image: Nancy Somerville / SWNS

Nancy Somerville, 70, and her friends watched as the fox dipped its paws in the water – and recoiled at the freezing temperatures.

But with the waves lapping at the fast-disappearing outcrop, the wild animal was left with no choice but to leap into the water.

They watched as the little creature swam the distance to the shore – stopping on a rock on the way – before scarpering away to dry off, last Thursday.

Retired community worker Nancy, from the Isle of Mull, said: "He looked really quite healthy apart from his tail being pretty wet.

"It looked like it wanted to get into the water.

"It dipped its paw in and decided it was too cold but eventually it took the plunge.

A plucky fox was spotted making its way ashore at Longniddry. Image: Nancy Somerville / SWNS

"By this time the tide was coming in more and more.

"It was getting cut off.

"It was quite something to see."

Nancy said the wildlife group speculated the fox was hunting for birds when it got cut off from the shore and they watched it for around 30 minutes.