CALLS have been made to site a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) rescue boat at Loch Lomond.

Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie made the request to the Scottish Government following the tragic deaths this summer.

Though volunteer service Loch Lomond Rescue Boat is currently sited at Luss, Jackie Baillie asked to conduct an urgent review into the location of Scottish Fire and Rescue assets so that a boat is based at Loch Lomond.

Ms Baillie said: “Far too many people have tragically lost their lives throughout the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, including a number who died after getting into difficulty this summer in Loch Lomond.

“The Luss rescue boat does a fantastic job, run by volunteers, but it cannot be the only source of rescue given that the Loch is 39 kilometres long.

"It is vitally important that the Scottish Fire and Rescue team review the locations of their rescue boats as having one 25 minutes away is simply not good enough.

“Scottish Fire and Rescue must station a rescue boat at Loch Lomond to avoid further deaths.”

SFRS Assistant Chief Officer, Stuart Stevens, said: “Our thoughts remain with all of those affected by the recent tragic events at Loch Lomond and around the country.”

“We have written to Ms Baillie, offering a meeting to discuss her concerns and to highlight how our resources are nationally co-ordinated and subject to regular review to ensure our crews can respond safely and effectively alongside our partners to emergencies that may occur anywhere across Scotland.”

Loch Lomond Rescue Boat declined to comment.