SIX South Ayrshire beaches have been named as winners of a coveted award for environmental excellence.
From Barassie in the north to Girvan in the south, the six beaches in the area are among 51 across Scotland to have been given a ‘Scotland’s Beach Award’ by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
The award, now in its 32nd year, celebrates the achievements of clean, well-managed and sustainable beaches across the country, ensuring visitors and local residents can choose where they want to visit with the knowledge that the beach is being looked after for both the people who enjoy it and the environment.
The six South Ayrshire award winners are, from north to south, Barassie, Troon (South Beach), Prestwick, Ayr, Maidens and Girvan.
All six are the responsibility of South Ayrshire Council, and all six retain the accolade from 2023.
This is Barassie’s second win after it was designated an official bathing water in 2022, while Maidens is celebrating 11 years of award status.
Also named on the Scotland’s Beach Award list is Irvine Beach, which is maintained by North Ayrshire Council and the Irvine Clean Up Crew.
Jamie Ormiston, training and accreditation coordinator at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We’re delighted to announce the winners of Scotland’s Beach Awards 2024.
“This award is the benchmark for quality, celebrating clean, well-managed and sustainable beaches. Our award-winning beaches demonstrate excellent beach management and I’d like to thank all those who do so much to protect, maintain and enhance our beaches, protecting the sand and sea for us all to enjoy.
“Scotland’s beaches are for everyone to enjoy and we hope that people do so responsibly and keep them beautiful for us all.
“Every year we are delighted at the standard of Scotland’s Beach Award winners across the country, especially as beach managers and local communities are battling increased erosion and more regular devastating winter storms, often with limited resources.
"Not only are they able to keep our beaches open and accessible, they are also maintaining facilities to a high standard and supporting local people and visitors to take action for the environment.
"It really is inspiring to witness.”
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