FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has led tributes to those lost over the weekend in a spate of a water deaths. 

Six people have been confirmed to have tragically died in lochs and rivers in the West of Scotland since Friday. 

Ms Surgeon said: "This is heartbreaking - my thoughts and condolences are with the loved ones of those who have lost their lives in the water over the past couple of days.

"In Scotland, we have some of the most beautiful lochs and rivers in the world - but if swimming in them, please take care."

A boy's body was pulled form the water at Balloch Country Park on Friday evening and the family of a 16-year-old have been informed by police. 

The following day, police were called to the scene of another death in Alexander Hamilton Memorial Park in Stonehouse, Lanarkshire at around 4.30pm. The family of an 11-year-old boy have been informed by police. 

The same day, the body of another young boy was pulled from the water at Hazelbank, Lanark just over an hour later. The family of a 13-year-old boy have spoken with police. 

Later that evening, police and emergency services were called to Pulpit Rock in Ardlui, where a family were in difficulty in the water. Three people tragically died and the family of a 41-year-old man, a 29-year-old and a 9-year-old were made aware. A 7-year-old boy is in intensive care at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow. Police are urging a family its thought may have witnessed the incident to come forward. 

Formal identification has still to take place in relation to each these incidents and full reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, Police Scotland said today in a statement. 

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: "The number of deaths in open water this weekend is hard to comprehend and my thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected. 

"The warm weather can make open water swimming and paddling very inviting but it is extremely dangerous, even for the most experienced swimmers or supervised children. The conditions can change very quickly and there are often hidden risks like deeper water and strong currents.

"The message I want to send to everyone is exercise extreme caution. It is better to keep a safe distance from water if possible. Tragically, this weekend has highlighted that open water is very, very dangerous. If you see someone in the water and distressed call 999 immediately. Remember, you could get into difficulty yourself trying to help so please take care and seek help as soon as possible."