Two public bodies have issued water safety warnings ahead of summer - and with warm and sunny weather expected for the Platinum Jubilee holiday weekend.
Scottish Water and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are urging people to stay safe and not take risks around water such as reservoirs, rivers and lochs this summer.
The latest figures from the National Water Safety Forum (NWSF) show that, in 2021, a total of 277 people lost their lives to accidental drowning in the UK, including 58 in Scotland.
The figures, which were up from 254 and 39 in the UK and Scotland respectively in 2020, include the four people who died in Loch Lomond in the course of a single warm and sunny weekend last July.
Peter Farrer, Scottish Water’s chief operating officer, said: “While people should enjoy any good weather we have and take pleasure around the country’s beautiful lochs, reservoirs and rivers, it’s absolutely vital they stay safe at all times and behave responsibly.
“As the tragic deaths in Scotland last year showed, safety is a serious issue in all bodies of water, including lochs, reservoirs and rivers.
“At reservoirs, while the water may look harmless, there are many hidden dangers. We need to ensure everyone is aware of these hazards. We are reminding parents to keep their children safe and asking adults to act responsibly around reservoirs and other watercourses.”
Leigh Hamilton, ranger service manager at the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “On hot, sunny weekends we are particularly concerned about people who come to spend time near or around the water, maybe having a picnic or hanging out with friends on the loch shores, but not necessarily intending to go in the water.
“We know from experience that those people who aren’t coming to take part in a specific water activity like swimming or kayaking, are less likely to be aware of the quite specific risks that apply to our lochs.
“Going into a loch is very different to going into the sea, where the water gradually gets deeper. Lochs often get deep suddenly with steep drops close to the shore. Lochs are also very, very cold, even on a warm June weekend and cold water shock can be life threatening.
“We know loch shore locations will be busy this weekend so we are asking people to help us spread these important water safety messages as far and wide as possible.
“Tell your friends about the steep drops close to shore and the risk of cold water shock even for experienced swimmers.
"If you have teenagers heading out to the Park with friends make sure they know these risks and that if someone in their group gets into difficulty, they should call 999 and ask for the police.”
A programme of enhanced water safety measures has been rolled out by the National Park Authority ahead of this summer, including:
· installation of new water safety signage and public rescue equipment (PRE) at key visitor sites
· waterside responder training for people working around loch shores
· education materials and in-school sessions for young people in surrounding schools
· a programme of weekend water safety information events at popular waterside locations including Luss, Balloch and Milarrochy Bay
The Park Authority is also working with local authorities, landowners and businesses to identify popular water sites they own or manage where safety signage and equipment can be improved.
On the shores of Balloch Park and the River Leven area, 25 new 'public rescue equipment' stations and location signs have been installed.
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