Two national water bodies have issued warnings as Scotland braces itself for soaring temperatures in the coming days.

Scottish Water and Water Safety Scotland (WSS) gave advice as forecasters predict the mercury in the west of Scotland is set to climb to almost 30 degrees on Tuesday, with highs of 23 to 26 degrees on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Water Safety Scotland has warned people to be vigilant around the country's waterways after 58 people lost their lives to accidental drowning in Scotland last year - two-thirds of them in inland open waterways such as rivers, canals and lochs. 

The warning comes after a 24-year-old man lost his life after getting into difficulty at the Falls of Falloch, north of Loch Lomond, last weekend.

To help reduce drowning fatalities, Water Safety Scotland is highlighting the Water Safety Code and the new UK campaign, Respect the Water.

A spokesperson for WSS said: “It is important in the hot weather to resist the temptation to enter cold water. Although the air temperature is hot, waterways in Scotland are very cold and entering them can lead to cold water shock.

"Water Safety Scotland’s key message is to follow the Water Safety Code. This code provides lifesaving information and we urge the public to learn the code and teach their families and friends about it.”

The Water Safety Code can be found online by clicking here. 

Four people drowned in Loch Lomond in the space of a single weekend almost exactly a year ago after getting into difficulty.

Connor Markward, 16, died on July 23, 2021 whilst playing with friends in the loch near Balloch Country Park.

The following day, Edina Olahova, 29, Rana Haris Ali, nine, and Muhammad Asim Riaz, 39, died after getting into difficulty in the water off Pulpit Rock, near Ardlui.

Meanwhile, Scottish Water is urging people across the country to help maintain normal water supplies by being as efficient as possible in how much they use every day.

The utility company says that over the weekend of July 9 and 10, customers used an additional 200 million litres from their taps in their homes and gardens – the equivalent of 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The water authority is now asking all customers to reduce unnecessary water use – especially in the garden.

They want people to:

  • use a watering can or water butt instead of a garden hose / sprinkler – hoses can use 1,000 litres per hour (equivalent of 12 baths).
  • water plants early in the morning or later in the evening – and you don’t need to water lawns which recover quickly from dry weather
  • use a bucket and sponge rather than a hose / jet washer to wash the car
  • avoid filling up large paddling pools which can take thousands of litres – re-use any water in them where you can.
  • take shorter showers
  • turn the tap off when brushing teeth
  • use washing machines and dishwashers only when fully loaded.