Tiree is part of the inner Hebrides and is a haven for windsurfers because of conditions coming in from the Atlantic Ocean.

The tanker, containing 35,000 litres of water, was taken to the island by ferry. The same amount will be sent by sea on Saturday.

West of Scotland Water (WSW), whose area includes 30sq. mile Tiree, blames dry weather and high consumption by tourists.

The company is also monitoring the situation on the nearby island of Coll, where locals are having to travel to Oban for water.

Some islanders say it is the worst drought in 20 years but WSW says despite 13 weeks with almost no rain, Coll still has about 50 days to go before supplies dry up.

Pipeline problem

In another area, West of Scotland Water is being accused of wasting �1.3m of public money on a new pipeline.

The system was installed to replace supplies to the village of Colintraive, which was previously fed by a local loch.

But the pipeline has affected the pressure of supplies to homes on the island of Bute. The new system has been shut down and Colintraive has reverted to the original supply.

West of Scotland Water says it will be up and running within days after "operational difficulties" have been resolved.

But people in Colintraive described the pipeline as a "huge mistake" and a waste of money.

'Lion's den'

Meanwhile, the man who represents water customers in the north of Scotland has been warned he will be walking into a "lion's den" when he speaks at a public meeting.

Alan Sutherland was appointed as the country's first water industry commissioner last year.

One of his first actions was to recommend a large increase in charges to customers, with people in the north of Scotland suffering the biggest rise of more than 43%.

Mr Sutherland will face the public in Inverness on Friday night to explain why he backed the unpopular price hike.