Two new beaches join the award winners in 2018

Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced that Scotland has increased the number of beaches which now boast Scottish Beach Awards status.

Signalling the start of the traditional Scottish bathing season on 1 June, the annual awards celebrate some of the best managed beaches in the country and act as a benchmark for local environmental quality on Scotland's coastline.

Two new beaches join the award winners in 2018, bringing the impressive total to 61 that will be flying the Scottish Beach Awards flag.

The new additions are Prestwick in South Ayrshire, and Yellowcraig in East Lothian, which returns after a year of absence.

Many of the award winners are long standing beaches who have managed to maintain consistent quality of facilities over many years.

This includes Gullane Bents in East Lothian and St Andrews West Sands in Fife which have both received the accolade for 26 years, and Aberdour Silver Sands also in Fife and Nairn Central in the Highlands that will be flying the flag for 25 consecutive years.

Fife has also retained its title as the region with the most awards, home to 15 award winning beaches. The Highlands is a close second with 12.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity, said: "Now in their 26th year, the Scottish Beach Awards help to set the standard for our stunning coastlines and inland shores - making sure that they provide visitors with litter free sand, excellent amenities and helpful information about water quality.

"Organisations from all across Scotland have been working hard to ensure that the beach continues to provide a great day out for all the family alongside benefitting people's health, wellbeing and local economies."

Focussing on local environmental quality, the award is designed to complement the work currently undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on bathing water quality.

A map showing all the award-winning beaches with directions, facilities and images can be found here.