Information Bulletin
Four Shetland Beaches Win Seaside Awards
Keep Scotland Beautiful announced the highest number of Scottish Seaside Award winning beaches ever recorded today, 2 June 2008. Among them were four Shetland beaches – including three new additions.
The Rural Seaside Award programme was first introduced to Scotland 16 years ago when there were just two award winners. Now 61 of Scotland’s best beaches, used by walkers, nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and traditional family groups are recognised by the yellow and blue Seaside Award flag.
The Seaside Award programme has two categories, one which recognises the more rural nature of Scotland’s beaches and a second which is given to resort style beaches. All Seaside Award winners, no matter which category they fall into must have well managed bathing water quality, good facilities where present, excellent litter management procedures, information provision and community involvement. Adequate safety measures must also be in place.
Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, Mr John Summers OBE, said, “This year there are more beach award flags flying around the Scottish coast than ever. I am particularly pleased to see three new beaches be awarded Seaside Award status in Shetland this year recognising their intrinsic beauty, community involvement and good management.
We would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that goes in to achieving these Awards by Shetland Islands Council and the local communities, who ensure that visitors an d water users at the award beaches are protected. I would again urge beach goers to visit these sites and to continue playing their part in keeping Scotland’s beaches clean and beautiful.”
Councillor Jim Henry, Environment Spokesperson said “I am delighted that Shetland is being recognised at a national level for the outstanding beauty of its beaches. With Seaside Awards now being issued to beaches throughout Shetland this shows that Shetland has a lot to offer to locals and tourists alike.
I hope that all four beaches will be able to retain their awards for years to come and that other areas of Shetland consider highlighting their excellent local facilities”.
All the award winning beaches with descriptions, directions, facilities and pictures feature on Keep Scotland Beautiful’s web site www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/coastal where people can also vote for their favourite award winning beach. A free map highlighting the location of all the award beaches can be ordered or downloaded from the site too.
For further information please contact Mary Lisk at Shetland Islands Council on 01595744818 or Suzanne Roberts at Keep Scotland Beautiful on 01786 468236/ 017841 369430 or contact her at Suzanne.Roberts@kbscotland.org.uk
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