Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 25 AUGUST 2026

Managing The Risks Of Open Water Swimming

Shepherd and Wedderburn
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Contributor
Shepherd and Wedderburn

Shepherd and Wedderburn

We are an independent law firm, headquartered in Scotland, delivering high-quality legal advice and...

View firm profile
Explore more from Shepherd and Wedderburn

Rural landowners face complex legal questions when wild swimmers use their lochs, rivers and reservoirs. With water-related fatalities rising and participation surging, understanding occupier liability duties has become essential for estates, farms and rural businesses managing open water access.

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Stephanie Hepburn
Stephanie Hepburn
Author LinkedIn connections

This article was first published in Scottish Farming Leader, with a shortened version also published in The Scotsman. 

Wild swimming is no longer a niche activity. Tens of thousands of people now frequently head to Scotland’s lochs, rivers and reservoirs – especially in summer, when the water is at a more comfortable temperature. While this has many benefits for both physical and mental health, it also has risks: according to the National Water Safety Forum’s annual report, there were 39 accidental water-related fatalities in Scotland last year alone. Rural landowners and occupiers should carefully consider whether they owe any legal duties to people who enter their land to swim in open water.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

Game Developer And Publisher Battle Over Step In Rights

A High Court ruling examines a contentious dispute between a video game developer and publisher over milestone-based funding and "step in" rights for the first-person shooter Six Days in Fallujah. With over $50 million in development costs at stake and allegations of conspiracy to acquire proprietary source code, the court declined to grant either party interim control of the game's development, leaving both sides without the "keys to the kingdom" pending a full trial.
United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
Article

Meta's $18 Billion Settlement: Reckoning Or Managed Exit?

Meta has agreed to pay up to $18 billion over 10 years to settle claims by 52 US state and territory attorneys general in the largest state consumer-protection settlement in American history outside tobacco. The settlement imposes binding child-safety obligations including time limits and age assurance, but leaves the core algorithmic feed unchanged and raises questions about whether this represents genuine accountability or a commercially managed outcome.
United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Article

LNG Charterparty Hire Formula: Meaning Of JKM–TTF Pricing Spread

The Commercial Court ruled on a USD 29 million dispute over an LNG carrier charterparty's index-linked pricing formula, determining whether the "JKM-TTF spread" operated bidirectionally or only when JKM exceeded TTF. The decision examines how unprecedented market conditions—where European gas prices surged above Asian prices due to the Ukraine war—tested the contractual formula's application and whether rectification could remedy an alleged drafting oversight.
European UnionLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
CMS Wistrand
CMS Wistrand
Video

One-Punch Manslaughter – When A Single Blow Kills (Video)

A split-second decision can change lives forever. In one-punch manslaughter cases, a single impulsive blow, perhaps thrown in anger, fear or misguided bravado, leads to a tragic death. These ‘death by a single punch’ incidents are more common in the UK than many realise. Dozens of families every year are left devastated, with one family grieving an unimaginable loss, and another family shocked and fearful as their loved one faces a homicide investigation for an outcome no one intended. It’s a tragic reality, one moment of anger, one fatal assault involving a single blow, and two lives (and families) ruined.
United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Olliers Solicitors
Olliers Solicitors
Article

Section 431 Elections – What Are They And What Are The Tax Benefits?

When employers grant restricted securities to employees, understanding section 431 elections can significantly impact tax liabilities for both parties. This article examines how these elections work, the strict 14-day filing deadline, and demonstrates through detailed calculations why choosing to make this election could save substantial amounts in income tax and national insurance contributions.
United KingdomTax
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Article

FIFA World Cup 2026: Can English And Scottish Clubs Sign The Tournament’s Breakout Stars?

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 featuring a record 48 nations, clubs are eyeing emerging talent for summer transfers. However, standout performances alone don't guarantee that foreign players can sign with English or Scottish clubs—they must navigate complex visa requirements and governing body endorsement criteria. Understanding these regulatory pathways, from points-based assessments to discretionary exceptions, is just as crucial as identifying talent on the pitch.
GlobalImmigration
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Shepherd and Wedderburn