The landowner whose private water system has been blamed for the outbreak of E coli at a Highland caravan park is arranging for a transfer to the public supply.

John Grant of Rothiemurchus Estate, near Aviemore, said he was "distraught" at official findings of the potentially deadly bug in his Highland spring system.

Three young children have been confirmed as carrying the E. coli O157 bug, while nine others - including two children - are described as "probable" cases.

Seven are from two Scottish families who stayed at the Rothiemurchus Caravan Park at Coylumbridge between 19 and 24 July.

Closure of the caravan park has been recommended

Health officials have "strongly recommended" the closure of the caravan park saying its water supply failed to meet regulatory standards and was a "significant" risk to health.

Dr John Wrench, the director of public health at NHS Highland, said it was possible that torrential rain had led to the bacteria getting into the water supply.

The caravan park is supplied by a private water supply from the Rothiemurchus Estate.

The supply also goes to more than 40 houses in the area.

Homeowners in the area have been taken off the infected private water and given a supply of bottled water.

Extremely nasty

Mr Grant said he was "distraught" that water supplied by the estate may have caused families to suffer from "this extremely nasty illness".

He insisted the Rothiemurchus Estate was "working to be absolutely certain that there can be no recurrence".

He added: "We have circulated a letter which I wrote at 4am this morning to everybody who is on the estate main, telling them that we're going on to the Scottish Water main.

"All our efforts have gone into resolving the situation and yesterday we laid a pipe to the caravan and camping park, which is operated independently.

"We are grateful to Scottish Water for their assistance with organising a speedy changeover."

Other health authorities throughout the UK have been informed about the incident as many holidaymakers had stayed at the Highland campsite over the same period as the two families.

"I would ask that anyone who was staying at the campsite... and who has been experiencing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, abdominal pain or cramps, to contact their local general practitioner for advice," said Dr Wrench.