Urgent meetings are being held to look at improving water safety on Loch Lomond and around the National Park after the deaths of four people at the weekend.

The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA) says it's held talks with several partner organisations, including local councils and the emergency services, after Connor Markward, Edina Olahova, Rana Haris Ali and Muhammad Asim Riaz lost their lives when they got into difficulty in the loch.

Connor, 16, drowned near Balloch Country Park last Friday, while Edina, 29, her nine-year-old son and family friend Mr Riaz, 39, died near Ardlui on Saturday.

Gordon Watson, the National Park's chief executive, said: “It is difficult to put into words the scale and sense of loss the National Park has seen over the last few days and our thoughts are first and foremost with the families of those who have died.

“Supporting people to enjoy the water bodies of the National Park is of the utmost importance to us.

"It’s a key part of our role as the National Park Authority and a huge amount of work goes into this from raising awareness and promoting water safety, to having signage, and where relevant, public rescue equipment (PRE) available on visitor sites we manage. 

“We are not alone in this.

"Water safety is a responsibility we share with a range of other public organisations and private land owners who own or manage key visitor destinations around the Park.

"In light of these terrible events a series of urgent meetings have and are taking place this week with each of the local authorities and water safety partners involved.

"These meetings are aimed at reviewing existing water safety measures and identifying any potential further actions to be taken both in the short and the longer term.”

Simon Jones, director of environment and visitor services at the park authority, added: “As well as coming together to look at what we can do as organisations, we’re also asking people to help us share important water safety advice.

“Water bodies in the National Park can have hidden dangers, particularly the risk of cold water shock even in warm weather, and the potential for sudden changes in the depth of the water. 

"By taking some time to read the water safety advice on our website and share this information with your families and friends you can help get these important messages to as many people as possible.”

The park authority says it has installed water safety signs and public rescue equipment at a number of key visitor sites over the past year, and that work is under way with local authorities and land owners to identify locations where safety signs and equipment can be improved.

The park authority also has a boat ranger team which patrols the loch on a daily basis during the summer months.

For advice on how to enjoy the water safely in the National Park go to lochlomond-trossachs.org/watersafety.