Quantifying the Restorative Power of Scotland’s Lochs and Rivers

Introduction

In October 2021, a man recreated a walk he first completed 62 years ago by climbing just under 3,000 feet to reach the summit of Beinn Damh on the north-west coast of Scotland. The steep ridge walk provided unobstructed views across Loch Damh and Loch Torridon. The combination of dramatic vistas and poignant nostalgia left him feeling energised and restored.

Methodology

In total, 45 participants from across Scotland took part in my environmental research project, investigating whether Scottish freshwater environments can provide positive mental health outcomes over time. Four groups of Scottish adults completed a three-month-long diary at different intervals during this timeframe.

Results

Completed diaries captured firsthand accounts of the benefits of freshwater interactions and created a large database of freshwater experiences: from sailing and swimming to sketching by the water’s edge. Diary entries revealed that participants held a strong appreciation of Scotland’s freshwater environments and consistently felt they gained restorative health benefits such as calmness and improved concentration levels.

Emotional Connection and Environmental Change

Many participants had an emotional connection to the freshwater environments that they regularly visited. This helped to create a sense of belonging. However, this emotional attachment also meant that diarists could be adversely affected by environmental change. Litter, agricultural pollution, and timber harvesting regularly contributed to negative freshwater experiences. Investment in the maintenance and upkeep of freshwater environments therefore has the potential to have far-reaching benefits, both in terms of public health outcomes as well as biodiversity levels.

Conclusion

The process of journalling also proved to enhance the restorative effect of visiting Scotland’s inland waters, as one person wrote: “this diary has been really helpful charting my progress and patterns, that I may even carry it on myself!” The results of this study highlight the potential for lakes and rivers to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing.

FAQs

Q: What was the purpose of the study?
A: The study aimed to investigate whether Scottish freshwater environments can provide positive mental health outcomes over time.

Q: How many participants took part in the study?
A: A total of 45 participants from across Scotland took part in the study.

Q: What types of freshwater experiences were recorded in the diaries?
A: Diary entries captured a range of freshwater experiences, including sailing, swimming, and sketching by the water’s edge.

Q: What were the benefits of participating in the study?
A: Participants reported feeling a strong appreciation for Scotland’s freshwater environments and consistently felt they gained restorative health benefits such as calmness and improved concentration levels.

Q: How can environmental change impact freshwater experiences?
A: Environmental change, such as litter, agricultural pollution, and timber harvesting, can negatively impact freshwater experiences and have far-reaching consequences for public health outcomes and biodiversity levels.