JUST as the sun finally puts in an appearance and we set off for the coast to enjoy some summer days out, Scotland’s Beach Awards from Keep Scotland Beautiful have been revealed.
And that’s great news for sun-seekers as you can find out exactly which beach closest to you (or further away if you’re making a weekend of it) is the cleanest, with pristine sands and clean healthy waters.
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Scotland’s Beach Awards celebrates those well-managed and well cared for beaches across Scotland allowing visitors and locals to choose where they want to visit with the knowledge that the beach is being well looked after for both people and the environment.
Across Scotland a total of 52 beaches have received the award this year.
Last year, St Andrews West Sands was one of two beaches to celebrate 30 years of achieving the accolade consistently. The other was Gullane Bents in East Lothian.
This year a second Fife beach has joined them in the 30 plus section – Aberdour Silver Sands, along with Nairn Central beach in Inverness-shire which hit the big 30.
Fife retained its title as the region with the most awards – 14 – with Aberdeenshire and East Lothian following with eight.
Another 40 beaches on the list have won the award for ten or more years – pretty impressive numbers!
Jamie Ormiston, awards officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Scotland’s Beach Awards are the benchmark for quality, celebrating clean, well-managed and sustainable beaches. Our award-winning beaches demonstrate excellent beach management and we hope that all who visit this year play their part in keeping them beautiful.
“I’d like to thank all those who do so much to protect, maintain and enhance our beaches, protecting the sand and sea for us all to enjoy.”
Aberdeen’s Ballroom Beach was one of the lucky winners. It’s famous for its golden sand on a long curve between the harbour and the mouth of the River Don.
The back of the esplanade has cafes, restaurants, a ballroom, amusements and a shopping area. You can often see dolphins, seals and, on occasion, whales in the sea.
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Aberdeenshire beaches winning the acclaim include Cruden Bay – a glorious 2.5 km beach said to have a pink glow thanks to the pin/red granite facing of the nearby Longhaven Cliffs.
It’s popular with day trippers, water sports enthusiasts and for fishing. The entire bay is a designated bathing water area.
Six beaches in Angus were recognised this year, including Montrose Seafront. The beach sits in front of a tidal basin and nature reserve: Montrose House of Dun & Montrose Basin Nature Reserve.
It’s accessed by a set of steps or a timber boardwalk and has a play area for children nearby, including paddling pool. There’s also a cafe and burger restaurant, a pitch and putt course, free car parking and picnic areas.
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Beautiful Broughty Ferry won Dundee City its one award. Situated beneath the historic castle in the former fishing village it has huge sweeping sands backed by dunes.
It’s a feeding ground for waders in the winter and you can spot seals, birds and the occasional dolphin or porpoise.
East Lothian is famous for its beaches so it’s no surprise eight of them were granted the prestigious award, including North Berwick’s West Beach – a long stretch of sand with views to the island of Craigleith and the Bass Rock.
It’s a popular family beach for sunbathing, bird watching, paddling, picnics and dog walking. Behind the beach is a putting green and it’s walking distance of the Scottish Seabird Centre.
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Aberdour Silversands is one of the most popular resorts on the Fife coast. The beach is quintessentially offers seaside and the shore looks out to the islands of Inchmickery and Inchcolm, where there is a famous abbey. The Fife coastal path passes by this beach and the section from here is well worth walking.
St Andrews East Sands beach is located on the south side of the old harbour close to the East Sands Leisure Centre, with plenty of water sports, including surfing and sailing, to keep everyone entertained
Kids will love the rock pools at the south end of the beach and the Kinkell Braes Caravan Site is only five minutes away.
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Highland beaches also feature highly, with five winning acclaim including Sango Sands near Durness in Sutherland.
A beautifully formed cove Sango Bay offers views of the North Minch and golden sands to picnic and sunbath and great waves for surfing.
Bot too far away is the famous Smoo Cave – the largest cave in Scotland, formed by both the sea and a river.
Irvine Beach is a long stretch of golden sand sheltered by flowing dunes and one of Ayrshire’s best assets. On the edge of a protected site of special scientifc interest, you’re as likely to see an Oyster Catcher or Pied Wagtail darting on the shore as you are to see a sandcastle.
It’s ideal for dog walking, running wild or riding and families love the eateries, pubs and coffee shops near by.
Coldingham Bay in Eyemouth, Berwickshire was the only beach in the Scottish Borders to be recognised.
The sheltered sandy beach stretches for a kilometre with rocky shore at either end and it’s near to Coldingham Village where there are historic sites including the Priory and close to St Abbs village and harbour.
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It will probably come as no surprise to many that Ayr beach was among the awardees. It is one of the most popular in Scotland and has been enjoyed by people of all ages through the years.
From picnics and sandcastles to paddling, collecting shells and playing games, you can always find something to do. The esplanade has a putting green, play area and refurbished Pavilion which provides indoor soft play.
Admire beautiful views of Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and on a clear day.
For the full list, visit here
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