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Celebrating 30 years of award-winning beaches in Scotland

31 May 2022

Ahead of the Jubilee weekend, we've announced over 50 beaches have been recognised with Scotland’s Beach Award.

This year we're celebrating 30 years since the first two beaches in Scotland received awards – Gullane Bents in East Lothian and St Andrews West Sands in Fife have both achieved the award consistently since then.

Scotland’s Beach Award celebrates well managed beaches and acts as a benchmark for local environmental quality and in 2022, a total of 53 beaches have achieved the accolade – from Shetland to the Scottish Borders.

This year we welcome back many long-standing award participants, as well as Irvine Beach and Ayr South beach after a short break.

Fife retains its title as the region with the most awards, home to 15 winning beaches. East Lothian and Aberdeenshire both have eight award beaches.

Our CEO Barry Fisher said:

“It is wonderful to see 53 sites win Scotland’s Beach Award status this year and we are delighted to celebrate with all those employees and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure award standards are maintained.

“As the only accreditation for beach management of its kind in Scotland, we aim to drive up environmental standards along the coastline of our country for residents and visitors alike.

“Scotland’s coastlines and waters attract thousands of visitors every year and I’d encourage everyone to #RespectProtectEnjoy these beaches this summer.”

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “Scotland’s diverse coastal scenery ranging from dramatic cliffs to gleaming white beaches, rolling nature reserves to island escapes are a vital part of Scotland’s tourism offer, attracting visitors from within Scotland, the UK and overseas.

“Over the last two years interest in coastal destinations has remained high as people have sought outdoor locations and activities with our own research showing the positive benefits being near the water can have on wellbeing.

“Scotland’s Beach Awards winners are a sign of the high-quality visitors can experience. Congratulations to 53 beaches awarded status this year and to Keep Scotland Beautiful on the 30th anniversary of the scheme.

“Valued by communities and visitors alike, to ensure our beaches are protected for the enjoyment of all, we ask everyone to be respectful and responsible when visiting, looking after our natural landscape and leaving no trace of their visit.”

To be successful in achieving Scotland’s Beach Award, a beach must meet a range of criteria, including beach safety, access and facilities, and cleanliness. Focusing on local environmental quality, the award is designed to complement the work undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on bathing water quality.  The full criteria can be accessed here.

A map showing all the award-winning beaches with directions, facilities and images can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/beach

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