Two hikers have fallen seriously ill after drinking contaminated water from a river in the Scottish Highlands, prompting a warning from rescue services. The incidents occurred on the West Highland Way, with both walkers suffering from severe vomiting after consuming water from a burn near Conic Hill.
Lomond Mountain Rescue Team reported that one hiker was rescued after nearly ten hours of vomiting, while another was taken to hospital after becoming unable to walk. Despite using water filters, both individuals fell ill, raising concerns about the effectiveness of filtering alone.
The rescue team has urged walkers to use water from Scottish Water fountains or bottled water instead. They emphasised that filtering may not guarantee safety and recommended secondary treatment such as boiling or chemical treatment, particularly in areas with livestock or runoff.
A spokesperson for Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park advised bringing treated water or using trusted drinking water sources. They noted that while burns and lochs may appear pristine, they can carry invisible risks, and boiling water is essential if drinking from natural sources.
