Lifeguards are preparing for an influx of visitors to the coastline this weekend after 4000 people turned up to a Scottish beach in a single day. 

The popularity of 'staycations' due to restrictions on international travel has seen more people than ever taking trips to the seaside but an even busier weekend than normal is expected due to the mini heatwave forecast for across the country, putting extra pressure on Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguards. 

The charity is urging the public to stay on the eight beaches stationed on Scotland's east coast with several dangerous incidents already reported by volunteers. 

Silver Sands beach, in Aberdour, Fife, attracted around 4000 people on just one day recently, leaving lifeguards stretched as they attended emergencies and administered first aid.

READ MORE: Scotland weather: hottest day of the year to hit 28C

RNLI Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, Gio Ceccarelli, said: “Our beautiful beaches offer a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and open spaces but can also be unpredictable and dangerous environments, particularly during a typical Scottish summer when air temperatures start warming up but water temperatures remain dangerously cold.

The Herald:

"With more people than ever planning to stay at home this summer, now more than ever, we encourage people to visit a lifeguarded beach if they plan to enter the water.

“RNLI lifeguards keep a constant watch on the shore, the weather, and the sea conditions. 

"They are able to highlight areas of potential danger and adjust the swimming area accordingly.

"The weather can change quickly and sea conditions can become very dangerous. This is why we suggest you visit a lifeguarded beach when coming to the coast.”

Recently, lifeguards stepped in when they spotted a paddleboarder in difficulty at Silversands and they also rescued two young girls who got into trouble on paddleboards at Elie Harbour. 

“The paddleboarder had drifted too far out from the shore to make their own way back,” recalls Gio Ceccarelli.

“The lifeguards used their knowledge of the beach, tides and coastline to assist the paddleboarder back to safety further along the coast. In this case we were able to spot the incident unfolding and were able to react very quickly.

"Theperson involved had made the right decision to visit a lifeguarded beach that day as otherwise they might not have been spotted so quickly.

"You should always carry a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch when out on the water so that you can call for help if you do need it. If you spot someone in difficulty on the coast, call 999 and ask for the coastguard."

The Herald:

“We are expecting this summer to be very busy for our lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews” said the RNLI’s Regional Water Safety Lead, Michael Avril.

“These new figures back that up.

“We want people to enjoy the coast but urge everyone to respect the water, think about their own safety and know what to do in an emergency.

“By choosing to visit a lifeguarded beach you will find yourself in an environment where lifeguards are monitoring the water, ready to respond in an instant. Our lifeguards are not only trained to operate their lifesaving equipment, defibrillators and first aid, but are also armed with a multitude of safety advice aimed at preventing incidents before they occur.”