A warning over the dangers of wading in the water at the mouth of the River Spey has been raised.
People walking out to a shingle bank at low tideĀ are risking being cut off when the sea comes in.
Secretary ofĀ Innes Community CouncilĀ Jim Mackie, who lives inĀ Garmouth,Ā highlighted the dangers after the matterĀ was discussed at a recent meeting of the group.Ā
HeĀ said:Ā āThere is great concern about the risk of visitors to theĀ TugnetĀ (east)Ā side of the river mouth getting stranded on an incoming tide.Ā
āThere is a gravel spit that on low tide extends about 200 yards out to sea and many walk to the end of it.Ā
āThe fear is that on an incoming tide – especially with a bit of swell – people could well be caught at the end of the spit and not be able to get back to shore.Ā
āItās an accident waiting to happen.”
The warning comes afterĀ severalĀ drowningsĀ inĀ lochs and riversĀ over theĀ summer in Scotland.Ā
Although there have been no incidents at the mouth of the Spey recently, Colin Wood, senior coastal operations officer for Moray with HM Coastguard, advised people to remain vigilant.Ā
HeĀ said: āIf folk find themselves in difficulty they should stay where they are andĀ not try to get back to shore then call 999.Ā
āAnybody who thinks they see someone inĀ trouble in the waterĀ should also call 999 and ask for theĀ coastguard.ā