Sutherland beaches recognised in Keep Scotland Beautiful awards

Eight beaches within Sutherland are among 12 across the Highlands to achieve Scottish Beach Award status in 2019, awarded by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The accolade recognises the high standards provided across the country to beach users.

The awards recognise the best beaches across the country and act as the benchmark for local environmental quality all along Scotland’s coastline.

The Sutherland beaches are Achmelvich, Dornoch, Brora, Embo, Golspie, Melvich, Sango Sands and Strathy Bay.

Convener of the Highland Council, Cllr Bill Lobban said: “The stunning scenery and clean environment are important reasons why people visit the Highlands and our beaches play a huge part in this, as well as being important assets for local communities and their economies.

“I am absolutely delighted that the successful coast management and excellent quality of these Highland beaches has once again been nationally recognised.”

For a beach to be successful in achieving a Beach Award, it has to meet a range of criteria, including beach safety, access and facilities, and cleanliness.

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 at www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/beach

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