good CLEAN FUN: The Stirling family from Linlithgow enjoy the sunny spell on Aberdour Silver Sands, which was given a Clean Beach Award by Keep Scotland Beautiful. Picture: Gordon Terris

Aberdour Silver Sands, Burntisland and Elie Ruby Bay were highly rated for their all-round cleanliness and overall excellence in Scotland's annual Beach Awards, organised by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Aberdour has been a Blue Flag-approved beach every year since 1998 in the awards, while Burntisland has continually earned the highest approval since 2001. And 2013 is now the fourth year in a row Elie Ruby Bay has qualified.

Elsewhere in Fife, St Andrews West Sands was awarded a Seaside Award for the 21st year running, as was Gullane Bents in East Lothian.

In all, 59 Scottish beaches north of the Border have been recognised by the charity for their litter management, safety procedures and water quality, ranging from St Ninian's Isle, in Shetland, to Machrihanish in the south-west.

They also include South Ayr, Elie Harbour Beach, Billowness in Anstruther and Portobello, all of which joined the list of award-winning beaches last year.

Derek Robertson, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "I'm delighted to announce so many Seaside Awards for Scotland, 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.

"Already, almost 100 beaches have held community clean-ups this year as part of the campaign, including many of the award beaches."

Suzanne Roberts, campaign co-ordinator at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: "Scotland should be proud of so many beaches meeting the standards required for seaside awards, some of them over 20 years.

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Judges favour coastline of Fife in beaches pageant