AN URGENT warning has been issued to NC500 tourists over ‘toxic' water at a popular beauty spot.
Blue-green algae, which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and even kill dogs, has been found in an area of water in Caithness.
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The Highland Council's Environmental Health team said the toxic algae has been spotted in Loch Watten after samples were taken.
A warning has been issued by the local authority, which urges people and pets to stay away from the algae.
Notices will be posted next to the loch warning that contact with the algal scum should be avoided.
Blue-green algae are noticed when their concentrations increase to form “blooms” and when they form scums – looking like blue-green paint – or when they collect on the shore line.
Effects on people coming into contact with toxic scums include skin rashes, eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever and pains in muscles and joints.
Toxic algae have caused deaths of livestock and dogs, waterbirds and fish.
The actions currently taken are precautionary.
The level of its toxicity can differ – as it can appear one day, be dispersed by the wind and mixing and re-accumulate at any time.
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A Highland Council statement read: “Samples taken at Loch Watten have indicated the presence of blue-green algae.
“Contact with blue-green algae can have health effects for humans and animals; the situation is being investigated by Highland Council Environmental Health Department in partnership with NHS Highland Public Health Department and wider colleagues.
“As a precautionary measure contact with the algal scum should be avoided by people and pets.
“Notices will be posted next to the loch warning that contact with the algal scum should be avoided.”
