Scotland, Summer Plans & a Surprise About Water Use

Emily Johnson

★★★★★

So guess what? I’m going to Scotland this summer!! 🇬🇧🧳 I’ve always dreamed of seeing the Highlands, walking around old castles, and maybe even spotting Nessie (yes, I still believe she might be real). As I was doing some research for my trip—like what to pack, cool hikes, and the weather—I randomly came across something that totally surprised me.

Apparently… Scotland uses way more water than the rest of the UK. Like, a lot more.

I read this BBC article that said people in Scotland use around 178 liters of water per person per day, while in places like Yorkshire it's only 126 liters. That’s a 40% difference! As someone who writes about climate and sustainability, this totally caught my eye.

🧐 Why is Scotland Using So Much Water?

At first, I was like, "Wait… isn't Scotland known for rain and lochs and endless water?" And yeah, that’s kinda true—Scotland has thousands of freshwater lochs (including Loch Ness, which holds more water than all of England and Wales’ lakes combined ). But that doesn't mean it's okay to use water like it's unlimited.

Here’s what I learned:

• No Water Meters: In England and Wales, a lot of people have meters that measure how much water they use. In Scotland, not so much. Most homes just pay a flat rate through council tax, so there’s less of a reason to cut back.

• The Abundance Illusion: Because there's so much water around, many people don’t even think about conserving it. It's kind of like how you leave the lights on when electricity feels “cheap.” But that mindset can be dangerous, especially with climate change making things less predictable.

• Wasted Rain: Only about 1% of Scotland’s rainwater actually gets stored in reservoirs. The rest just flows away, which means even a "rainy country" can end up with water shortages during dry spells.

🌦 Why This Matters (Especially for Our Future)

I know water conservation isn’t the coolest topic out there, but it’s a seriously important one. Even places that feel "safe" from climate issues are going to feel the impact. Just because you have water now doesn’t mean you’ll always have enough—especially with hotter, drier summers becoming more common.

💡 What We Can Do (Yes, Even Tourists Like Me)

• Be water-smart wherever you go: I’m already planning to take shorter showers on my trip and not leave the tap running when I brush my teeth. It sounds small, but it really adds up.

• Talk about it: Seriously. Most people have no idea how much water they’re using. Bringing it up (without being annoying!) can actually inspire others to think about their habits too.

• Push for change: I honestly think Scotland should start rolling out water meters. It’s not about punishing people—it’s about helping them see the impact of their choices.

✈️ Final Thoughts Before I Pack

I didn’t expect to stumble into a climate mystery while planning my summer trip, but I’m kinda glad I did. Scotland is beautiful and wild and green—and I’d like to keep it that way for generations to come. So whether you're in Scotland, England, or anywhere else, let’s treat water like the precious resource it is.

Catch you later—I'll keep you posted on my Scotland adventures!
(And yes, I’ll be bringing my reusable water bottle )

Published by - Anya Pal - May 19 2025

Inspired by the BBC article “Why does Scotland use more water than the rest of the UK?” — May 2025.

Published By - Anya Pal

April 15th 2024