29 May 2012 Last updated at 20:12 ET <\/p>\n
More than 60 Scottish beaches have been granted official recognition for high standards of cleanliness, safety, and water quality. <\/p>\n
Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) has given \"seaside award\" status to a total of 61 beaches. <\/p>\n
Eight will also now be able to fly the internationally-acclaimed Blue Flag. <\/p>\n
The environment charity said over the past 12 years the number of beaches achieving seaside awards has more than quadrupled. <\/p>\n
The awards are given annually, with beaches from Aberdeenshire to the Borders, and from the Highlands to North Ayrshire, among those featured on the 2012 list. <\/p>\n
Portobello beach in Edinburgh and Dunbar East beach in East Lothian are completely new entries. <\/p>\n
Six of the sites which have been awarded blue flag status - for which beaches must pass 32 environmental criteria - are in Fife, with Kinghorn beach receiving recognition for the first time. <\/p>\n
The other two blue flag winners are in Dundee and Coldingham in the Scottish borders. <\/p>\n
Derek Robertson, chief executive of KSB, 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 beach. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Read more here:<\/p>\n
Flag awards for Scottish beaches<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 29 May 2012 Last updated at 20:12 ET More than 60 Scottish beaches have been granted official recognition for high standards of cleanliness, safety, and water quality. Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB) has given \"seaside award\" status to a total of 61 beaches. Continue reading