Olympian Duncan Scott ‘delighted’ at investment in school swimming

Olympic swimmer Duncan Scott has said he is “delighted” after the Scottish Government announced a £2 million investment in free swimming lessons for children of primary school age.

The rollout of the National Primary School Swimming Framework is part of a package of measures aimed at getting people more active, inspired by what a minister described as “a spectacular summer of sport” for Scotland.

The men’s Fifa World Cup finals in North America begin on June 11 – with Scotland’s first match taking place on June 14 – while the 2026 Commonwealth Games take place in Glasgow in late July and early August.

An additional £40 million for sport has been allocated in the 2026-27 budget, with £2 million for the swimming initiative in its first year, with plans to expand the offer in future years.

Speaking during a visit to a pool in Edinburgh on Thursday, sport minister Maree Todd said the benefits of the Government’s investment will last “long after” this summer’s sporting events have concluded.

“We believe that every child, regardless of their background, should be given the opportunity to learn to swim – a core skill that can save lives,” she said.

“There is no better time to offer them that chance than now.

“We are preparing for a spectacular summer of sport which will see Scotland welcome some of the world’s best swimmers to Glasgow and having elite sportsmen and women competing live on our doorstep is an experience which can only serve to inspire.

“This investment is part of an additional £40 million of funding for sport – enabling more people to get active and enjoy the wide-ranging physical and mental health benefits that will last long after this year’s World Cup and Commonwealth Games have come to a close.”

The announcement was welcomed by swimmer Duncan Scott, who has won eight Olympic medals and 13 Commonwealth medals across three games, and who is an ambassador of the national learn to swim programme.

“I am delighted to see this Scottish Government commitment and investment in school swimming to keep children safer and more confident in, on and around water,” he said.

“As an island nation with so much access to water, it’s critical that primary school children have access to basic swimming and water-safety skills.”

Scottish Swimming chief executive John Lunn said: “It’s fantastic to see this commitment to school swimming after a long-fought campaign to ensure children have access to basic swimming and water safety skills.

“This is an investment in the future – a future where children are equipped with critical life skills to keep them safer in, on and around water.”