VISITORS to some of Scotland’s most popular natural locations will be able to stay hydrated after new public water taps are installed to help reduce litter.

On World Refill Day – when people are encouraged to refill their bottles to help protect the environment – Scottish Water has confirmed that Top Up Taps are being installed within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Cairngorms National Park and Mabie Forest in the south-west.

Eight taps in total are being installed over the summer as part of the drive to encourage visitors to leave no trace when visiting the countryside.

Five are earmarked for communities in and around Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.

Two taps will be installed in Aviemore, the outdoors capital of the Cairngorms, and Pitlochry, located near the national park’s southern boundary. A further site is being explored in Braemar.

And another new tap will be located at Mabie Forest in Dumfries and Galloway, popular with walkers and mountain bikers.

Peter Farrer, chief operating officer at Scottish Water, said: “Scotland’s great outdoors have never been so popular with visitors. We’re delighted to be able to keep people hydrated with our public water taps at the same time as reducing our footprint on the natural environment.”