New Top Up Tap marks completion of water network upgrade in Drum

02 August 2022
Councillor David Fraser, Chair of Glenurquhart Community Council Dianne Fraser and Manager of the Loch Ness Hub Russell Fraser at the new tap

Free water refills in the heart of the Great Glen

L-R Councillor David Fraser; Chair of Glenurquhart Community Council Dianne Fraser; and Loch Ness Hub Manager Russell Fraser pictured at the new tap.

Scottish Water has unveiled a brand new Top up Tap in Drumnadrochit, providing locals and visitors with a free and accessible place to fill up their reusable bottles and stay hydrated while enjoying the area.

The new tap can be found at the edge of the busy Loch Ness Hub car park, a stone’s throw from the route of the Great Glen Way through the village centre. It aims to help people cut down on single-use plastics while drinking more of Scotland’s great-tasting tap water. 

The turning on of the Top up Tap follows the completion in late June of a project to upgrade the key water main through the centre of Drumnadrochit, ensuring the local water network can support the community's growth while continuing to provide all customers with a reliable supply of fresh, clear water. 

The project, which was carried out in two phases, has seen around 1km of new water mains laid along the A831 near Kilmichael and the A82 through the village.  It was delivered on Scottish Water’s behalf by contractor Mackenzie Construction. 

Scottish Water Corporate Affairs Manager Gavin Steel, said: 

“We are very pleased to launch this new Top Up Tap in Drumnadrochit following the completion of the recent upgrade to the water network.  

“The location was originally suggested by the team at the Loch Ness Hub and we hope it will add to the great range of information, facilities and services that the site provides, as well as being useful to residents. I’d encourage everyone to make use of it – it's good for you, it’s good for your pocket and it’s a great way to help the environment too. 
 
“We recognise that upgrading water mains in major roads causes some unavoidable disruption – and I would like to thank residents and road users for their patience while our team was working on site earlier in the year.” 
 
Russell Fraser, Manager of the Loch Ness Hub, said:

“On behalf of the community, Loch Ness Hub is very grateful to Scottish Water for this additional asset that can be utilised by both residents and visitors alike. As a community transport hub we are working hard towards improving awareness and promotion of all the fantastic walking and cycling trails we have throughout Glen Urquhart and as a result we are seeing more and more requests for people seeking somewhere to top up their refillable water bottles - so we are sure the tap will be very gladly received.”

75 taps have now been installed at sites across Scotland including harbours, beaches, national parks, botanical gardens and other top tourist attractions. The Drumnadrochit tap is the eighth in the Highlands so far, with more on the way. 
 
More information about Scottish Water’s Your Water Your Life campaign can be found at www.yourwateryourlife.co.uk. 
The new Top Up Tap is in place at the Loch Ness Hub car parkl

Your Water Your Life

The new tap comes following the completion of an upgrade to the water network running through the village.