Iconic Loch Ness is UK's most popular – and unpolluted – swimming spot with famous Fairy Pools on Skye also working their magic
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Loch Ness is the most popular natural swimming spot in the UK as well as the safest when water quality is taken into account, according to a new report.
The Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye were placed third.
But the research found the quality of water at more than half the country's 10 most popular locations was considered unsafe.
The study involved pulling together a series of articles ranking the most popular swimming spots in the UK and analysing associated hashtags to identify the most popular overall.
The results were then compared using interactive maps developed by the UK Rivers Trust and Surfers Against Sewage to see which of spots were considered unsafe to swim in due to pollution.
It was carried out by Finest-Filters, a UK water quality and filtration equipment firm.
It found of the 10 most popular locations highlighted, six were regularly cited as unsafe due to pollution. All were in England and included second-placed Hampstead Heath in London.
Only four locations on the list were considered to have a safe quality of water to swim in.
These included Loch Ness which took the top spot.
Skye's Fairy Pools were ranked fourth in a table of the UK's most popular natural swimming spots including unsafe areas due to pollution.
But they moved to third place when the quality of water was taken into account.
The findings come at the same time as a new report published by the Environmental Audit Committee found that nearly all rivers in England would fail to attain a good quality health rating.
Finest-Filters said many issues around pollution were due in large part to how the UK handles its sewage.
Reflecting on the results, marketing Adam Green said: "If lockdowns have taught us anything, it’s how important spending time out in nature is for our health and wellbeing.
"But if these results are any indication, we are falling short in ensuring that natural water spots remain clean and healthy, which can have severe consequences on the health of local populations and ecologies.
"It’s important, now more than ever, for us to take steps to safeguard the health of UK waters for the good of the nation.
"For anyone looking to jump into UK waters this summer, I highly recommend doing some research before heading out.
"There are some great resources that are available to help you stay safe and up to date with the latest information."
These include OutdoorSwimmingSociety and Surfers Against Sewage.
Read more: New project aims to develop online resource for wild swimmers
