Rise Scotland Participation Terms and Risk Acknowledgement

Event for ages 18+ only

1. Event and organiser

Event: Rise Scotland, The Wellbeing Experience
Date: Sunday 23 August 2026
Time: 9:30am until approximately 12:00pm, followed by refreshments as announced
Location: The outdoor area beside Duck Bay Marina, Loch Lomond

Rise Scotland is organised by Jim McFadyen, trading as The Vortex Centre for Wellbeing, 151A Hyndford Road, Lanark, ML11 9BG.

Email: info@team.vortexcentre.com
Telephone: +44 7700 144573

2. Nature of the gathering

Rise Scotland is a free community gathering organised by a small team that wants to help people experience breathwork, meditation, connection, nature and cold water exposure.

The event takes place in a shared outdoor environment that may also be used by members of the public. The Vortex Centre does not control the weather, the Loch, the natural ground conditions or the actions of unrelated members of the public.

The planned programme may include guided breathwork, meditation, group reflection, an optional Loch dip and refreshments. The programme may be adapted or changed on the day.

Rise Scotland is not medical treatment, psychotherapy, counselling, addiction treatment or a crisis service. No particular physical, emotional or spiritual result is promised.

3. Who these terms apply to

These terms apply to registered attendees who choose to join any activity led by The Vortex Centre.

Being present in the surrounding public area does not automatically make someone a participant in Rise Scotland.

Anyone wishing to join a Vortex led activity must be aged 18 or over and must first read and accept these terms.

4. Voluntary participation

You decide whether to take part in each activity.

You may:

• Observe without participating
• Choose a gentler option
• Pause or stop at any time
• Leave an activity if it does not feel right for you

You should never feel pressured to continue.

The organising team may refuse or stop someone from participating in a Vortex led activity if they appear unwell, impaired, distressed, unable to follow instructions or likely to put themselves or another person at risk. This is a practical safety decision, not a medical assessment.

5. Personal responsibility and suitability

The Vortex Centre does not conduct health screening, medical examinations or individual assessments of whether you are medically fit to participate.

You are responsible for deciding whether each activity is suitable for you. You should consider any medical condition, disability, injury, pregnancy, medication, recent illness and how you feel on the day.

Breathwork and cold water exposure may not be suitable for everyone. Take particular care and obtain appropriate medical advice before participating if you have concerns involving your heart, blood pressure, breathing, circulation, seizures, fainting, diabetes, sensitivity to cold, a recent operation, a serious injury or a mental health condition that could be affected by intense breathing, meditation or cold exposure.

If you are pregnant, unwell, feverish, severely exhausted or have been advised to avoid intense breathing, cold exposure or strenuous activity, you should not take part unless an appropriately qualified healthcare professional has confirmed that it is suitable for you.

Do not participate while under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs.

If you are unsure, observe the activity or speak to your GP or another appropriately qualified healthcare professional before participating.

6. Breathwork and meditation

Breathwork can cause dizziness, tingling, numbness, cramping, changes in breathing or heart rate, anxiety, panic, emotional distress, loss of balance or fainting. In a susceptible person, it may contribute to a serious medical event.

Meditation and group reflection may bring up unexpected emotions, memories or psychological discomfort.

Breathwork must be performed seated or lying down in the area indicated by the facilitator.

Never perform intense breathing, hyperventilation or breath holding:

• In or near the water
• While standing somewhere a fall could cause injury
• While driving
• While operating equipment
• Anywhere that becoming dizzy or faint could place you in danger

Stop immediately if you experience chest pain, unusual difficulty breathing, severe dizziness, confusion, panic, faintness or any other concerning symptom.

7. Cold water and Loch risks

Loch Lomond is a natural open water environment, not a controlled swimming pool.

Conditions may include cold temperatures, slippery or uneven ground, variable depth, submerged objects, poor visibility, waves, wind, boat activity, wildlife, microorganisms, pollution or algae.

Entering cold water can cause an involuntary gasp, rapid breathing, panic, a sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure, loss of strength or coordination, hypothermia, inhalation of water, drowning, serious injury or death.

These risks can affect people who are fit, healthy or experienced.

If an optional group Loch dip is offered:

• Listen to the briefing before entering
• Enter slowly and carefully
• Do not jump or dive
• Remain close to the shore
• Do not swim away from the group
• Do not perform intense breathing or breath holding in or beside the water
• Leave immediately if you feel unwell, panicked, numb, weak or unable to control your breathing
• Leave when asked by a member of the organising team
• Dry yourself and put on warm clothing after leaving the water

Participation remains your choice. Natural open water risk cannot be completely removed.

8. What to bring

Bring suitable outdoor clothing, drinking water, any prescribed medication you may need and a mat or suitable item to sit or lie on.

If you may enter the Loch, bring swimwear, a towel, secure footwear and warm, dry clothing.

You are responsible for your own belongings, clothing, transport and personal preparation.

If refreshments are available, you remain responsible for checking whether anything is suitable for your dietary requirements or allergies.

9. Respectful and responsible behaviour

You must:

• Follow reasonable instructions given during the organised activities
• Behave responsibly around the water
• Respect other attendees and members of the public
• Respect the natural environment
• Avoid abusive, threatening, discriminatory, sexually inappropriate or seriously disruptive behaviour
• Stop and seek help if you become unwell

The organising team may exclude someone from the Vortex led activities if their conduct creates a safety or welfare concern.

10. Changes and cancellation

Rise Scotland is a free outdoor gathering run by a small organising team.

The programme or any individual activity may be delayed, changed, shortened or cancelled because of weather, water conditions, site conditions, attendee numbers, team availability, public activity or any other practical or safety concern.

Registration does not guarantee that the Loch dip or any other particular activity will take place.

Because the event is free, a change or cancellation does not create a right to a refund or compensation. This does not affect any legal right that cannot lawfully be excluded.

11. Emergencies

Tell a member of the organising team immediately if you or someone else becomes injured, unwell or distressed.

In a serious emergency, call 999 or 112.

Members of the team or other people present may provide reasonable assistance within their knowledge and ability and may contact the emergency services. The event does not promise that a medical professional will be present or that emergency assistance will arrive within a particular time.

Seek urgent medical assistance for symptoms such as chest pain, serious breathing difficulty, confusion, loss of consciousness or severe or continuing shivering.

12. Photography, filming and privacy

Official photography and filming may take place during Rise Scotland.

General crowd and event images may be used by The Vortex Centre to document and promote its work through its website, social media, emails and future event materials.

If you do not want to appear in identifiable official photographs or recordings, select the no photography option during registration or speak to a member of the organising team on the day. We will take reasonable steps to respect your request.

We will seek clear permission before using a close up photograph, interview or recording where you are the main featured subject.

As the event takes place in a shared outdoor setting, we cannot control photographs or recordings taken independently by members of the public or other attendees.

Registration and contact information will be handled in accordance with The Vortex Centre Privacy Policy.

13. Understanding and accepting risk

By accepting these terms, you confirm that you understand the nature of the activities and the significant risks described on this page.

When you freely choose to participate, you accept the normal risks that remain after reasonable care has been taken.

You do not accept risks caused by negligence. Nothing in these terms excludes or limits responsibility for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

To the extent permitted by law, the organiser is not responsible for harm or loss caused by:

• Ignoring clear safety instructions
• Deliberate, reckless or unsafe behaviour
• Participating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Choosing to participate despite knowing that an activity is unsuitable for you
• Unconnected members of the public or other third parties
• Natural conditions that could not reasonably have been predicted or controlled
• Loss or damage to personal belongings that reasonable care could not have prevented

14. Legal terms

If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining parts will continue to apply.

These terms are governed by Scots law. The Scottish courts will have jurisdiction, subject to any mandatory legal rights that apply.

Last updated: 6 August 2026