THE Iceman goeth. A Scots adventurer is planning to attempt an unprecedented world record beneath the Arctic polar ice.

Daros Gray, a champion spearfisherman who killed a five-metre great white shark in self-defence off Cape Town, will attempt to make history in nine freediving disciplines.

With his international support team, the 33-year-old from Perthshire in April will travel to a stretch of water which lies about 160 miles north of the Arctic Circle.

He is undergoing a tough training regime in Scotland to prepare himself for the challenge at Lake Tornetrask, the deepest lake in Sweden.

Mr Gray had planned to attempt world records under the Antarctic polar ice as well.

However, on colleagues' advice, the diver, who was inspired by the adventures of explorers such as Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, decided to channel all resources into one expedition to an area of the world where he pioneered freediving.

The decision to avoid Antarctica was taken due to the huge financial costs as well as the treacherous conditions.

"When it comes to the weather there, it's a different ball game. Things can change in seconds, " he said.

Mr Gray, who can hold his breath for almost six and a half minutes, trains during breaks in his work as a security contractor in Edinburgh and other parts of the world.

As part of the schedule for Sweden, where he will dive in water temperatures of minus 2C, he is practising in the deep waters off Kinghorn in Fife, close to the Dive Bunker, a diving school and centre run by Mark Blyth at Burntisland.

The Scot - who failed in the mid-1990s to make a lone 380mile trek to the North Pole when conditions forced him to retreat about two-thirds into the trip - uses a yoga technique called Pranayama. This enables him to breathe from the bottom of his stomach.

His record attempts will be carried out in freshwater, which is more difficult than submerging in sea water.

The former pupil at Broughton High School in Edinburgh said: "Sea water, because of the salt content, is more buoyant. In freshwater it feels like two people are holding on to your legs as you surface. You work a lot harder."

Mr Gray said freshwaterwas also much colder and there was the danger of exposure. "The support team wear dry suits which are totally sealed up and also thermals. I wear a wetsuit and water can come in. That first blast is a little bit tricky."

He said light conditions were important and two record attempts each day would take place in the morning hours.

Known as Polarfreedivers, his freediving team includes members of SMC Productions, a production team, and photographer Lars Thulin. "I have a great support team, " said Mr Gray, who praised his several sponsors. "I want to make a go of it for these people. It's important to give something back to people who believe in me. The thing that would scare me the most is failure. I don't want to let them down."

Mr Gray is the latest Briton to seek world records in some of the world's most inhospitable regions.

Three weeks ago, endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh completed two record-breaking swims in the icy waters of Antarctica. The lawyer, who broke the record for long-distance swimming in the Arctic in August, covered a kilometre in an 18minute-and-10-second swim off Petermann Island.

The feat was the southernmost swim undertaken - at 65 degrees 10 south.

Two days later near Deception Island, Mr Pugh swam 165km in 30 minutes and 30 seconds. Never had a swimmer been in such cold water (2 to 3C) for so long.

DISCIPLINES IN WORLD RECORD BIDS

Free Immersion - descending with the aid of the depthcable, to a depth of 35 metres using no equipment.

Free Immersion (DPV Assisted) - descending with the aid of a depth propulsion vehicle (DPV) to a non-targeted depth, using no equipment.

Constant Weight (DPV Assisted) - descending to a non-targeted depth with mask, fins and weight-belt with aid of depth propulsion vehicle, without touching depth-cable.

Variable Weight - descending using a 30kg weighted sled to a depth of 40 metres and then ascending with fins.

No-Limits - descending using an unlimited weight sled to a depth of 40 metres and ascending with use of an inflatable lift bag.

Dynamic 2 Apnea (with fins) - swimming horizontally below surface for 100 metres.

Dynamic Apnea (without fins) - swimming horizontally below surface for 50 metres.

Dynamic Apnea (DPV Assisted) - swimming horizontally below surface for 200 metres aided by depth propulsion vehicle.

Static Apnea - breath holding for five minutes submerged.