Caithness councillor in safety plea to support Drowning Prevention Week

Visitors and locals to the Highlands are being warned of the dangers of open water during Drowning Prevention Week by a Caithness councillor.

Raymond Bremner, leader of Highland Council and a Wick and East Caithness councillor, said people need to be aware of hidden dangers when enjoying the water.

Drowning Prevention Week, which runs until Saturday, is aimed at reducing risks by raising awareness and prioritising water safety.

Cllr Bremner said: “We are very lucky here in Highland to have some of the most stunning beaches, rivers, lochs and burns anywhere in the UK.

“However, dangers still exist around any stretch of water, and we are encouraging people to take all precautions. Water may look safe, but it can be dangerous. It’s important to spot and keep away from dangers.

“People may think they are able to swim very well, especially in a warm indoor pool, but that does not mean that you will be able to swim in cold water. That includes reservoirs, lochs, rivers, or the sea.

“We fully support Drowning Prevention Week, and it's important Highland Council underlines the dangers which exist, especially as more and more people take to the water to pursue activities such as wild swimming, paddle boarding and simply to enjoy the good weather we’ve recently been experiencing.

"We have 5000km of coastline that contains more water than any other council area in Scotland, with more than 640 named freshwater lochs, 784 contained rivers within 59 catchment areas, as well as the Caledonian Canal, and people should familiarise themselves with the dangers including tidal timetables and currents.”

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.