NICOLA Sturgeon has offered her condolences to the victims of several recent tragedies in Scotland’s waters.

The First Minister expressed her sympathy to the families of those affected after six people died in a series of drowning accidents this weekend.

Three people, including a nine-year-old boy, died after getting into difficult near Pulpit Rock on Loch Lomond on Saturday evening, while a seven-year-old boy was taken to hospital.

The incident followed the deaths of three other young people in similar circumstances in Stonehouse, involving an 11-year-old boy, in Lanark, where a 13-year-old boy lost his life, and another on Loch Lomond on Friday, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy.

The First Minister, speaking to Clyde 1, urged Scots to follow safety advice when entering the water.

She said: “These are just heartbreaking human tragedies and like everyone else across Scotland my thoughts and condolences are with everybody who is today grieving a loved one who has lost their life in water over the past few days.

“Scotland is blessed with some of the most beautiful lochs, rivers, beaches anywhere in the world. It’s understandable when you have that people want to get into the water, they want to enjoy the water. But the last few days are a really stark reminder that water brings danger.

“And even if you think you’re a good, strong swimmer, things like currents, the depth of water, the impact of cold water on the body. These are things if you don’t fully understand, you can be putting yourself into real danger.”

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The First Minister added that this is an opportunity to “reflect” on what more can be done to educate young people on the dangers of open water.

She urged Scots: “Take great care if you’re in or around water, because the beauty of it often belies the dangers that it holds.”

Sturgeon explained that she has spoken to young people in her own family about the risks in recent days, as she clarified that she wants youngsters to “safely enjoy” swimming in Scotland while urging them to “respect” the potential hazards.

Earlier, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said the Scottish Government was "concerned" by the recent tragedies.

He added: "First and foremost my condolences go out to all the families and the communities that have been affected by this.

"I think all of us have been rocked by these tragedies and I spoke to a couple of my ministerial colleagues over the weekend as this news unfolded, and certainly whatever we can do in government to support those in our national parks or other stakeholders to make our parks, our walks, our tourist hotspots as safe as possible, then the government is committed to do that."