Warnings Issued After Walkers Fall Ill on West Highland Way
A mountain rescue team has issued a warning regarding the dangers of drinking water from burns after two walkers on the West Highland Way became severely ill, experiencing vomiting throughout the night.
Lomond Mountain Rescue reported that Police Scotland requested their assistance for two separate incidents within one week on the popular long-distance trail.
One incident involved a German man who was hospitalized last week, and the other involved an American walker who required help on Tuesday.
Both individuals reportedly consumed water from a burn near Conic Hill and fell ill despite using portable water filtration devices.
Visitors are being advised to consume only bottled water or water from verified safe sources such as Scottish Water drinking fountains.
Details of the Incidents
The first case occurred on Wednesday last week when Lomond Mountain Rescue evacuated a German man described as "incapacitated" near the remote Rowchoish Bothy.
He had been vomiting since the previous evening and was transported to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley for treatment.
On Tuesday of the following week, the rescue team was called to assist an American man north of Rowardennan, by Loch Lomond, who had also been vomiting overnight and was unable to walk.
Cause and Risks of Illness
David Dodson, team leader of Lomond Mountain Rescue, stated that both men had consumed water from a stream near Conic Hill, most likely the Burn of Mar, and became ill despite using straw-type filter systems—lightweight devices designed to remove contaminants during drinking.
"That area - where the West Highland Way passes through - is agricultural land where livestock can be found,"
"With so many walkers now tackling the long-distance footpath, there is an increasing issue with human waste not being properly disposed of.
All too frequently, signs of human waste can be seen in the vegetation not many metres off the main footpath and inevitably, may be close to some watercourses."
Given the two incidents within a week, Lomond Mountain Rescue is advising people to drink water only from known safe sources, including bottled water and Scottish Water fountains.
The team emphasized that filtering water from streams does not guarantee safety and recommended additional treatment methods such as boiling or chemical purification.
Official Recommendations and Park Authority Advice
The incidents occurred within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
The park authority advises visitors to carry their own treated water to maintain safe hydration.
"While Scotland's burns and lochs may look pristine, they can carry invisible risks when used as a water source.
If you absolutely must drink from a natural water source when outdoors, it's essential to boil the water first to make it as safe to drink as possible."
Similar warnings were issued following a series of walker illnesses on the West Highland Way in May of the previous year.
Walkers Taking Precautions
Walkers on the West Highland Way are already implementing measures to avoid illness.
Daniel Labs and three friends from Germany, who are camping along the route, carry large rucksacks equipped with filter systems and chlorine tablets to treat any stream water they may use.
"We are not concerned, it's not our first time. We were in Norway, Germany and the Alps and we don't drink from the streams, apart from in Norway where it's considered really clean water."
Vikki and Lee Jones from Sussex, also camping on the trail, stated they avoid drinking from streams to prevent illness.
"It's preparation at the end of the day, you just make sure you carry the water that you consume, and if you do have to take it from a stream, boil would be my minimum thing I'd do, I don't trust those filters."
