Residents asked to conserve water supplies

A spokeswoman for West of Scotland Water said the 13-week drought was highly unusual, particularly because summers on the Hebrides islands were usually wet.

The company took the decision to boost the Tiree supply on Friday and said the problem was largely due to the influx of tourists, many of whom flock to the island to enjoy its windsurfing

The spokeswoman said: "We will continue to bring in supplies, on every ferry service if necessary, until either we get rain or demand falls.

"We have a particularly high demand at the moment because of the tourists.

"We are asking people to be economical with their water, for example by taking a shower instead of a bath, and using a watering can in the garden rather than a hosepipe."

Reservoirs on the neighbouring isle of Coll were also running low - with only enough water for about another 50 days.

The droughts in the west of Scotland have contrasted with the weather in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Flash floods have wreaked havoc across Northern Ireland and parts of eastern Scotland.