Scotland's rivers, lochs and coastlines are delivering health benefits worth up to £123 million a year in the Forth region alone, according to new research. That research gives us hard evidence of something many of us already feel instinctively, says Lorraine Tulloch, Chief Executive, Greenspace Scotland. She says it's time blue spaces were treated as the public health asset they clearly are.

For as long as I've worked in this field, people have told me the benefits of blue spaces. How a walk by the river settles them or an afternoon at the coast lifts a bad week, we've always believed it.

What we haven't had, until now, is the evidence to put a number on it.

That's what The Worth of Water report gives us. Published by Greenspace Scotland with the University of Aberdeen and Public Health Scotland, it's the first study of its kind to put a monetary value on the health impact of Scotland's blue spaces and the figures are striking.

What the research found

Around 1.1 million adults, 83.7% of the Forth region's adult population, visited a blue space in the past year, spending an estimated 105 million hours between them at rivers, lochs, beaches and coastlines.

Using three separate approaches, the study estimates annual health benefits worth £105.2m from exposure to nature, £123.3m from physical activity and £39.6m from aquatic activities. These measure different pathways to wellbeing and shouldn't be added together, but each on its own makes a compelling case.

Mental wellbeing came through most clearly with 93% of visitors who said blue spaces lifted their mood and 89.7% said they helped them de-stress. A staggering 86% reported a positive impact on their mental health, while walking, not swimming or sailing, was by far the most common activity.

What stood out to me most is just how significant this first-of-its-kind approach is. Dr Luis Loria-Rebolledo, from the University of Aberdeen, who led the research, explains why:

"One of the most important findings is that, for the first time, we have been able to separate the value of water itself from the wider natural environment, showing it is a significant health asset in its own right.

“People do not need to be swimming, sailing or taking part in organised water sports to gain these benefits- everyday physical activities such as walking beside a river can also contribute to health and wellbeing."

Why this matters now

This isn't just an interesting finding, it's a call to action.

If blue spaces deliver tens of millions of pounds in health value every year, decisions about investment and access need to reflect that. These places should be planned for and protected with the same seriousness as any other public health asset, not treated as a pleasant bonus.

But the benefits aren't shared equally. People in high-income households were 23% more likely to visit blue spaces than those on lower incomes. Disabled adults were almost three times as likely never to visit one, and adults in poorer health were nearly twice as likely to miss out, despite potentially having the most to gain. Car access made a real difference to whether people visited at all and poor weather and a lack of toilets were the barriers cited most by existing users.

Dionne Mackison, Head of Place, Environment and Health Harms at Public Health Scotland, summed up why these matters for policy:

"This study adds to the growing evidence that Scotland's blue spaces can support health and wellbeing, particularly through improved mental wellbeing and opportunities for physical activity. It also highlights that not everyone can equally access and benefit from these environments.

“Understanding the value of blue spaces can help inform action to support healthier communities and reduce health inequalities."

What needs to happen next

We already have the evidence. Now we need to act on it. Recognising blue spaces as public health assets, in both local and national planning, has to be part of that action. So does investing in the basics: facilities, transport links and outreach that reaches the communities currently missing out.

Putting a value on these benefits makes the case much stronger for our rivers, lochs and coasts to be recognised not simply as attractive places to visit, but as important public health assets in their own right.

The next step is making sure more people can benefit, particularly those who currently face the greatest barriers to accessing these spaces. That's the work ahead and it's worth getting right.

 

Lorraine Tulloch (pictured) is Chief Executive of Greenspace Scotland.

The Worth of Water report was supported through the FORTH2O Commissioning Fund and is available on the Greenspace Scotland website.

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