Nominate Culbin and Findhorn for beach awards

AN environmental charity is encouraging communities to promote their favourite beaches.

Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) wants groups, local authorities and landowners from across the country to enter the annual Scottish Beach Awards, celebrating well managed beaches, including those not designated as official bathing waters.

KSB community and place manager Katie Murray confirmed the competition recognises the best beaches and acts as a benchmark for local environmental quality all along Scotland’s coastline.

She said: "Scotland’s Beach Award is the only accreditation for beach management of its kind in Scotland. The award recognises our fabulous beaches and aims to drive up environmental standards along the coastline of our country for residents and visitors alike.

"I would encourage communities, organisations and local authorities from all across Scotland to enter, and make sure that we can celebrate their hard work in providing beach users with beautiful beaches - free of litter, boasting clean facilities and displaying information to help users make informed choices."

For a beach to be successful in achieving a Beach Award, it 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 currently undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on bathing water quality.

It has been almost 30 years since Keep Scotland Beautiful began awarding Scottish beaches, and last year 61 received the accolade.

Applications can be made by local authorities, community groups or other agencies and a Beach Award brings with it a wealth of benefits, including the official accreditation, promotional materials and dedicated support from the Keep Scotland Beautiful team.

To enter visit www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/beach.

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