Seaside Awards
This year we have increased the number of award winning beaches in Shetland to 5. Rural Seaside Awards are given to effectively managed beaches that meet 15 criteria including cleanliness and water quality.The awards are run by Keep Scotland Beautiful and the successful applications were made possible through a partnership between the Environment and Resource Management Unit staff and the local Community Councils.
The award winning beaches are St Ninians Isle in Bigton which has held the award since 2007 , West Voe Sands in Virkie, Tresta Sands in Fetlar and The Sands of Breckon in Yell who all received their first award in 2008 and West Sandwick in Yell which is a new addition in 2011. Last year St Ninians Isle Beach was the highest rated award winning beach in Scotland in a poll run by Keep Scotland Beautiful and The Sands of Breckon in Yell received 3rd place. To rate your favourate beach and for further information on the seaside awards in Scotland and the criteria please see Keep Scotland Beautiful.
St Ninians Isle 
St. Ninians Isle is a large tombolo on the west coast of Shetland, linking the South Mainland to the isle via a stunning white sand beach. It is easily accessible and popular with locals and tourists. The beach itself is picturesque, often featured in promotional material and photographs of Shetland. There is an archaeological site located on St. Ninians Isle where the famous St Ninians Isle treasure was discovered, replicas of which can be seen at the Shetland Museum and Archive in Lerwick.
Location
On the A970 from Lerwick to Sumburgh turn on to the B9122 towards Bigton. This is a single track road with plenty of passing places. After approximately one and a half miles, take the second right turning into Bigton. Follow this road for approximately 500 yards, where there will be a turn off to the left, then turn right immediately afterwards. This road leads to St. Ninians Isle Beach.
West Voe Sands
West Voe Sands is located on the southern tip of Shetland, right by Sumburgh Airport and the ancient settlements of Jarlshof and the Old Scatness Broch. This long white sand beach has very easy access and is popular with dog walkers and families. Picnic tables with views down over the beach are available for use.
Location
The nearest village to West Voe Sands is Virkie. From Lerwick take the A970 South to Sumburgh, the car park for the beach is to the right off the main road, just past the turning for Scatness and is opposite Sumburgh Airport.
There is a bus service from Lerwick to Sumburgh which runs several times a day. The Scatness junction and Sumburgh Hotel stops are both close to the beach, see local bus timetables or visit the Zet Trans site for details.
Tresta Sands 
Tresta Sands is a long white sand beach on the island of Fetlar with stunning cliffs at the south end. This pretty, easy access beach is in a calm shallow cove making it ideal for families. Just behind the beach is Papil Water, a fresh water loch which is available for seasonal trout fishing. The award winning section is the north side of the beach down to the burn.
There is an annual outdoor event held at the beach called the Fetlar Foy, this is normally held around the summer solstice.
Location
Tresta Sands is located on the outer island of Fetlar, from Lerwick take the A970 north and follow signposts to the North Isles Ferry Terminal at Toft, once in Yell follow the A968 to the Gutcher Ferry Terminal for a second ferry to Fetlar. From the Ferry Terminal at Hammars Ness follow the B9088, this is a single track road with plenty of passing places. Take the third turning on the right to Tresta, then the first right down to the beach, parking is available next to the Fetlar Graveyard. Foot access to the beach is available through the gate in the car park
There is a daily bus service from Lerwick to the Fetlar ferry terminal, there is a bas service in Fetlar from Monday-Saturday but this must be booked the day before travel, see local bus timetables or visit the Zet Trans site for details. The ferry service to the Islands runs throughout the day, for further details see the local inter-island ferry timetable or visit the Ferry Service site.
Sands of Breckon
The Sands of Breckon is a white sand beach in the north of Yell, which has the largest area of shell sand dune and dune grassland in Shetland. This beautiful beach is sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds of Shetland and provides a wonderful view of the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. Traces of Viking and pre-Viking settlements can found around the beach. The beach is in a rural farming region and access to the beach can be steep in places, but it is well worth the walk!
Location
The nearest town to the Sands of Breckon is Cullivoe in the north east of Yell. From Lerwick take the A970 north and follow signposts to the north isles ferry terminal at Toft. From the ferry, follow the A968 through the Island of Yell, turn left onto the B9083 to Cullivoe (this is a single track road with plenty of passing places) and follow the road signs to Breckon, from there there is a signposted walk downhill to the beach. The route down to the beach is across working farmland and the area is designated an SSSI therefore please stick to this route only.
There is a bus service from Lerwick to Cullivoe which runs several times a day, see local bus timetables or visit the Zet Trans site for details. The ferry service to the Island runs throughout the day, for further details see the local inter-island ferry timetable or visit the Ferry Services site.West Sandwick
West Sandwick Beach is a quaint white sand beach on the West Coast of Yell. This surprising little gem, only a stone throw from the car park, is hidden from view by its dunes and offers amazing views of rocky outcrops towards the North Mainland of Shetland
Location
The nearest town to West Sandwick Beach is West Sandwick on the west coast of Yell. From Lerwick take the A970 north and follow signposts to the north isles ferry terminal at Toft. From the ferry, follow the A968 through the Island of Yell, when you see signposts for West Sandwick turn left onto the single track road and follow until you reach a phone box, take another left here towards the shore then follow the signs to West Sandwick beach.
There is a bus service from Lerwick to West Sandwick which runs several times a day, see local bus timetables or visit the Zet Trans site for details. The ferry service to the Island runs throughout the day, for further details see the local inter-island ferry timetable or visit the Ferry Services site.
The route to the beach is part of a core path plan for Shetland, information about which can be found at the local Visit Shetland office in Lerwick.
For further information on the awards see Keep Scotland Beautiful or contact the SIC Environment and Resource Management Unit on 01595 744 800 or e-mail recycling@shetland.gov.uk
