Five Shetland beaches win Seaside Award

Five Shetland beaches have been given the coveted Seaside Award by the leading charity for the environment, Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The annual award recognises high standards of cleanliness, safety, and water quality.

Flying the flag in the isles this year will be the Sands of Breckon in Yell (a consistent holder since 2008), St Ninian’s Isle (since 2007), Tresta (since 2008), West Sandwick in Yell (since 2011) and West Voe at Sumburgh (since 2008).

Keep Scotland Beautiful chief executive Derek Robertson said: “With an increasing number of people choosing to take their holidays at home in Scotland, there has never been a better time to enjoy your local beaches. The award highlights that these beaches are an important resource to the local economy and that they are your beaches to enjoy.

“I am delighted that Shetland has achieved five flags this year – over the last 12 years the number of Seaside Awards in Scotland has more than quadrupled, there were just 13 in 2000. I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that goes in to achieving and keeping these awards by Shetland Islands Council and the local communities, and I would encourage everyone, particularly in this economic climate, to make use of the fantastic beaches we have around the coast this summer.”

SIC environment and transport manager Stephen Cooper said: “This is the sixth year running that Shetland has achieved its beach awards and is a tribute to the partnership working between the council and local communities which is a unique approach to Shetland in achieving its award status.

“It also demonstrates the effort by local communities to ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of our beautiful beaches.”

A map showing all the award winning beaches with descriptions, directions, facilities and pictures can be found at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/coastal, along with an option for people to rate their favourite award beaches.