Up to 100,000 homes at flood risk

The Scottish Government has produced a detailed flooding map

Almost 100,000 properties in Scotland are at risk from flooding, it has been revealed.

The figures were announced as Scotland's first national summit began in Perth.

The Scottish Government has published a detailed map showing the places deemed to be most at risk from river flooding and rising sea levels.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead said Scotland could not ignore the threat.

The map of flood risk zones indicated the areas most in danger.

Stormy weather

It revealed that the Glasgow City Council area had most properties at risk from river flooding - 11,500 dwellings and 250 commercial sites.

Meanwhile, the Falkirk Council area had the largest number of properties that could be affected by coastal flooding, with more than 6,000 homes in risk locations.

Overall, 2.9% of all properties are at risk of river flooding, including 68,492 residential properties and 4,821 commercial premises.

The map shows 1% of all buildings could be hit by coastal flooding, with 23,952 dwellings and 2,229 businesses regarded as being in at-risk areas.

The map shows almost 100,000 homes are at risk of flooding

Mr Lochhead said: "As recent severe flooding events in England have shown us, we need to be more prepared than ever to minimise the risk and impact of flooding.

"I am seeking the views of industry experts, local authorities, and individual experiences to help inform future policy."

River flooding

He added: "We must now be more proactive about tackling flooding and consider whether they is a need for a national authority for flooding and if so, who should lead on co-ordinating this."

Members of the RSPB Scotland want ministers to move away from traditional flood defences such as embankments and concrete culverts, to more sustainable solutions.

RSPB Scotland director Stuart Housden, said: "For too long our approach to flooding has been based on short-term, short-sighted solutions.

"Thousands of homes and businesses in Scotland will be spared the misery of flooding if rivers are allowed to flood naturally into their flood plains, and catchments are returned into a more natural state."

Since the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, 72 flood prevention schemes have been built, with an average cost of £2.1m per project.