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A JAPANESE tourist who downed a dram too many sang the Skye Boat Song for seven hours non-stop as he was held in a police cell.

Dr Yasuyoshi Sakai, 49, got into trouble after officers spotted the GP drinking whisky while standing beside a parked campervan at Uig ferry terminal on the island.

He initially refused to give a breath test and was driven 20 miles to Portree police station, where he was found to be twice the legal drink-driving limit.

A police source said: “He was detained overnight before getting bail the next morning.

“Sergeant Bruce Crawford had to remain in the station all night to look after the prisoner’s well-being.

“Apparently all the Japanese gentleman did was march up and down his cell non-stop for seven hours loudly singing the Skye Boat Song.

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“Brucie could see the funny side of it. Alcohol affects different people in different ways but this was a new one on us.”

On Monday, Sakai, who is a regular visitor to Scotland, denied a drink-driving charge but admitted a reduced charge of being in charge of a vehicle while over the limit.

Defence lawyer Hamish Melrose told Portree Sheriff Court his client parked the hired vehicle at the terminal on May 31 and planned to sleep in it so he could be first on board the ferry to Barra the next morning.

He said the key was in the ignition so Sakai could listen to the radio as he enjoyed a few drams of Aberlour – but insisted the engine wasn’t running.

Sheriff Eric Brown fined Sakai £200 and imposed 10 penalty points.

Outside court, the tourist, who will fly home to Japan today, said: “My experience has not left a bad taste in my mouth about Scotland. I will be back next year.”

When the similarity of his surname to his country’s national drink – saké – was pointed out to him, he responded: “I prefer wee drams.”