Campaign to cut loch drownings

Four people drowned in Loch Awe last year alone

An Argyllshire couple whose two-year-old son drowned in a boating accident last year have joined forces with Strathclyde Police to improve loch safety.

Neither Ewan MacGillvary nor his grandfather Jim Gibson, 57, were wearing lifejackets when the accident happened on Loch Awe.

Ewan's parents Lorraine and Angus MacGillvary, along with grandmother Pamela Gibson, helped launch a new safety leaflet designed to highlight the hidden dangers of Scottish lochs in the hope of preventing any further deaths.

The pocket-size guide - called Loch Safety - lists hidden dangers associated with lochs and gives valuable advice on how to keep safe around water.

We want to prevent another family having to go through what we have and want the deaths of our loved ones to serve a purpose Pamela Gibson

Mrs Gibson said "We feel that we have had to come to terms with something none of us wanted to happen.

"We were out one sunny day, the world was our oyster, then our lives changed forever.

"We just want to highlight the leaflet as it quite boldly addresses the issues surrounding safety in the water.

"We want to prevent another family having to go through what we have and want the deaths of our loved ones to serve a purpose."

Four people drowned in Loch Awe last year alone and Strathclyde Police say following the leaflet's advice could mean the difference between life and death.

'Heed warnings'

Chief Inspector David Stewart, who hosted Wednesday's launch, praised the family's bravery and said he hopes some good can come from their loss.

He said: "Last year four people tragically drowned in Loch Awe, and as far as I'm concerned that is totally unacceptable.

"Lochs very quickly can become places of great danger and it is important that the public take heed of the warnings to prevent similar tragedies."

The brochure was been produced by the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Safety Forum in partnership with Strathclyde Police, Argyll and Bute Council and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.