Scotland The Brave... Stupid

Scotland The Brave... Stupid.

Heartstopping video shows foolhardy window cleaner perching on a tiny ledge four storeys up - without any safety gear: This is the shocking moment when a window cleaner balancing on a top floor ledge - without any safety equipment. Colin Elliot appears to use only his left hand to cling on to the outside of a third floor flat while wiping the windows with his other hand. Witnesses said he left the property through the window before carrying out the dangerous task, branding him 'fearless' but 'stupid'.

Barry McLauchlan, 22, (pictured) who was working on the opposite side of Caird Drive, Glasgow, recorded the terrifying moment on Monday morning. The labourer, from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, said: 'I was just working away and looked across the street. I noticed this window cleaner. He said: 'I thought nothing of it, but the more I stared I noticed he wasn't wearing any safety equipment. There was no harness or safety aids. 'I was shocked. I was fearing more for his life than he was. 'I saw him climb out of the window. He closed it behind him and washed the window as if it was a ground floor and nothing had happened. 'Except from his hand holding on to the window, there was nothing keeping him there.'

Witnesses branded the daredevil "fearless" and "stupid" as he dangled from a window with just his hand for support, nonchalantly cleaning windows.

The daring window cleaner was named as Colin Elliot from the Partick area of Glasgow. Mr McLauchlan and his colleagues believe he must be self-employed or just a member of the public. He said: 'I work in the construction industry and know how important it is to stick to health and safety. 'He's a braver guy than I am. But there is fearless and then there is stupid. 'You've got to think about health and safety. My thought is that this guy is self-employed because any company's insurance would not have paid for that.'

Barry McLauchlan, 22, who was working on the opposite side of Caird Drive, Glasgow, recorded the terrifying moment on Monday morning.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which regulates the workplace, said it could not comment as the man may have just been a member of the public. But a spokesman added: 'Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries, and we would hope anyone working at height took necessary precautions to prevent an incident.'

Mr Elliot, 56, said he has been cleaning windows for almost 34 years without incident.

However, Colin Elliot said he is the window cleaner captured in the footage. Mr Elliot, 56, said he has been cleaning windows for almost 34 years without incident.  He said: 'No, I don't use safety equipment - it's not like I do the Empire State Building.' Mr Elliot said the tallest buildings he works on are three storeys high. Commenting on those who had questioned his working with no safety

equipment, he said: 'It's just from their point of view. I wouldn't recommend they go out on a window ledge. 'If you're fearful of the activity you shouldn't do it. I have an exceptional head for heights.

Mr Elliot, pictured said: 'Having survived it for 33 and a half years I must be bloody good at risk assessment'.

'I guess I assess the job quick enough and if I thought it was pushing it safety-wise, I say I want to get those windows hinged before I do it. 'I would tell them if they were beyond the pail. I know when a window is too dangerous. 'I never go out on a window ledge if I don't need to. If I have got a bay window I open each of the windows in. My advice is you never take any needless risks. 'Having survived it for 33 and a half years I must be bloody good at risk assessment.' One local resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'He's a great window cleaner and does a great job, very thorough. He's a very interesting character and has been working in the west end for a very long time.'