Information Bulletin
Recognition for Shetland's Seaside Awards
Keep Scotland Beautiful has invited representatives from the Shetland Islands Council and Community Councils to give a workshop to other Local Authorities and delegates at the Scottish Beach Conference, in St. Andrews on September 15 2008. This is due to the unique managing partnership between the SIC and Community Councils for the four Seaside Award winning beaches across Shetland.
At the beginning of June, four of Shetland’s most picturesque beaches achieved a Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful, becoming the first island group in Scotland to so do. Shetland gained three new awards in 2008, for the Sands of Breckon on Yell, Tresta Sands on Fetlar and West Voe Sands at Virkie, whilst St. Ninian’s Isle at Bigton retained its award for the second year running.
In Shetland, the Seaside Awards are jointly administered and managed by the Shetland Island Councils Environmental Services and the Community Councils. Environmental Services would like to take this opportunity to thank the Dunrossness, Fetlar and Yell Community Councils for all their hard work over the last year in setting up the infrastructure for the awards and managing the beaches over the season. We would also like to thank the landowners for their support, and all the volunteers who helped with beach cleanups during the last four months.
The workshop will cover the success of the process, how it was established, and the unique benefits for the communities and the Council in working together on the awards. It will also show how the awards help promote the isles’ beautiful natural environment to a national and international audience.
All Seaside Award winners must be well managed, meet the standards of the EU Bathing Water Directive, have good facilities where present, excellent litter management procedures and information provided. Adequate safety measures must also be in place.
The Seaside Award programme was first introduced to Scotland 16 years ago when there were just two award winners. Now 60 of Scotland’s best beaches, used by walkers, nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and family groups are recognised by the yellow and blue Seaside Award flag. At the beginning of the season 61 beaches had achieved an award, however one lost its flag after failing to meet bathing water standards.
All the award winning beaches with descriptions, directions, facilities and pictures feature on Keep Scotland Beautiful’s web site www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/coastal.
For further information please contact either Anona Hughson (on 01595 744812) or Brydon Sinclair (on 01595 744810) at Shetland Islands Council.
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