RNLI celebrates lifeguard anniversary in Scotland

Starting in 2001, following a successful pilot scheme in South-West England, now over 245 beaches are patrolled by RNLI lifeguards.

RNLI lifeguards were first introduced in Scotland on Coldingham Bay in 2013, and the team has been expanding ever since. They can now be found on 8 Scottish beaches throughout the summer season.

Since the service began in Scotland, RNLI lifeguards have saved 8 lives, aided more than 3,500 people, responded to over 2,400 incidents and carried out more than 560,000 preventative actions.

RNLI lifeguards are best known for rescuing people in difficulty in the water, but much of their work takes place before an incident ever develops. Around 95% of a lifeguard's role is prevention, from advising swimmers about rip currents and changing conditions to helping families stay safe on the beach and reuniting lost children with their parents.

Lachlan Edwards, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor, says: ‘International Lifeguard Day is an opportunity to celebrate our fantastic and dedicated lifeguard team, both past and present’

‘We have a team of around 40 lifeguards, including volunteer lifeguards, who help keep the public safe and well informed. They not only work across our eight beaches, providing casualty care, support and carrying out rescues, they also work in local primary schools and help educate communities on water safety at events throughout the year.

‘Having been part of the team since 2015 I have seen first-hand how the service in Scotland has grown and the impact our lifeguards have had is remarkable. We look forward to growing the team further and continuing to provide this lifesaving service.’

Owen McQueenie is a senior lifeguard who joined the service in 2019, inspired by his dad, Martin, and older sister, Tamzin, who were both RNLI lifeguards.

Owen says: ‘Being part of the lifeguard team is incredibly rewarding. I have always loved being in and around the water and surfing with my family, so being able to do this as a job, while helping to protect the public is really awesome.

‘I was inspired by my dad and sister to get involved with the RNLI lifeguard team. It’s great to work in the same field as my family and be able to share our experiences after our shifts. They were a huge support when I became a senior lifeguard, and I'm proud to follow in their footsteps.’

Owen recently assisted two girls who were caught by the wind on their paddleboard at Coldingham Bay and safely guided them back to the shore.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards on UK beaches, a lifeguard installation will be put up in Edinburgh on Lifeguard Appreciation Day (31st July 2026), and in the evening, RNLI lifeguards will swim from West Sands to East Sands in St Andrews.

As families continue to enjoy the coast this summer, the RNLI is encouraging people to choose a lifeguarded beach whenever possible and to swim between the red and yellow flags.

To find your nearest RNLI lifeguarded beach, visit rnli.org/lifeguardedbeach.

Notes to editors

· The RNLI operate a lifeguard service on 8 Scottish beaches: Silver Sands, Aberdour, Burntisland, Elie Harbour, Leven, St. Andrews East Sands, St. Andrews West, Broughty Ferry, and Coldingham Bay.

· In 2025, the Scotland lifeguard team saved 4 lives, aided 200 people across 197 incidents, and gave help, support and lifesaving advice to thousands more both on the beach and in primary schools.

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Suzanne O'Brien, RNLI Communications Staff Member for RNLI, 07483 494407, suzanne_o’[email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Alternatively, please contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336 789 or [email protected].

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.