National Recognition for Highland beaches
Issued by Keep Scotland Beautiful
Keep Scotland Beautiful confirms winners of 2013 Seaside Awards
The winners of the 2013 Scottish Seaside Awards were announced today, 10 June 2013, by the independent environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful. In Highland, twelve beaches have received the award which is given annually, and which recognises excellent litter management, safety procedures and water quality.
Nairn Central will once again proudly fly the Resort Seaside Award Flag this year – something it has achieved consistently for 20 years. Flying the Rural Seaside Award Flag for the tenth year in a row will be Portmahomack. The other beaches flying the Rural Seaside Award flag this year will be Loch Morlich – Scotland’s only inland bathing water to be awarded (has been flying the flag consistently since 2009), Achmelvich Bay (since 2001), Brora Beach (since 2002), Dornoch Beach (since 1995), Durness – Sango Beach (since 2003), Embo Beach (since 2002), Golspie (since 2001), Melvich (since 2009), Shandwick Bay (since 2003), and Strathy Bay (since 2002).
Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services welcomed the awards for Highland beaches, he said: “Our beaches are vital to the tourism economy of the Highlands, not just for visitors from outwith the area but also for day trippers and locals who use them all year round. I am particularly pleased that in the Year of Natural Scotland 2013 we can celebrate our award winning beaches.”
Graeme Prest, the Commission’s manager of the Inverness Ross and Skye District said: “This is great news - and yet another testimony to the hard work that goes in to keeping Loch Morlich in pristine condition. And it's not just the people who work there, either. Thousands of visitors know this to be one of the Highlands' best kept secrets and they really look after the place, too.
“This accolade acknowledges Loch Morlich as one of the best beaches in the country. And if that wasn't good enough, it's in the heart of Glenmore, which has some of the best conserved areas of ancient Caledonian Pine Forest in the country as well as some of the most fantastic opportunities for recreation!
“It’s a great boost for Aviemore and for Scotland."
Provost of Nairn, Councillor Liz MacDonald is delighted with the Resort Seaside Award for Nairn Central Beach, she said: “Residents and visitors to Nairn love our beaches which attract people in their numbers during the summer and all year round. I am thrilled that Nairn has received a Resort Seaside Award as the quality of our seaside environment is crucial to the leisure and tourism industry and associated businesses as they depend on visitors to the area.”
Ian Murray, Chief Executive of High Life Highland, operator of Nairn Central beach commented: “We are pleased and proud that Nairn Central beach has been awarded a Resort Seaside Award. The beach is popular with tourists and local people alike and we hope that this Seaside Award will encourage more people to visit and enjoy this wonderful natural facility.”
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said, “Keep Scotland Beautiful is working to improve the quality of our local environment across the country, so I’m delighted to announce so many Seaside Awards for Scotland, including the award winning beaches in Highland, all of which recognise the incredible diversity of our beaches.
“Our new Clean Up Scotland campaign aims to engage with individuals and communities who love their beaches, encouraging them to organise clean up events of their own. Over 100 community clean ups have already taken place on beaches this year as part of the campaign, including many of the award beaches.
“We know that beach users, whether they are local or visitors from near or far, want to enjoy clean beaches, with well-maintained facilities and access. Our awards flags now fly proudly all across Scotland and are your guarantee of high environmental standards. Choose a seaside award beach on our online map, and enjoy a great Scottish day out by the sea!”
To help everyone find out where all the Scottish Award Winners are, a new look website and online map was also launched pinpointing your nearest award winning beach. The map shows all the award winning beaches with descriptions, directions, facilities and pictures can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/coastal. There is also an option for people to rate their favourite award beaches.
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