- More bathing waters (32%) have been rated as ‘excellent’ than since the tighter standards first came into force in 2015.
- Fewer bathing waters have also been rated as ‘poor’ – and partnership projects are currently underway to maintain progress and further improve bathing waters including the 10 rated as ‘poor.’
- Overall 88% of Scotland’s designated bathing waters have met the strict environmental water quality standards for 2019.
- Water quality information is available by 10.00 am every day during the season for 31 bathing water locations at sepa.org.uk/bathingwaters, via Beachline and live electronic beach signage.
With hundreds of thousands of Scottish families and visitors expected to head to Scotland’s beaches for the bathing season (1 June – 15 September), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has revealed that more of the country’s 86 designated bathing waters are meeting the ‘excellent’ classification rating (32%).
| Rating | Number of bathing waters | Percentage |
| Excellent | 28 | 32 |
| Good | 35 | 41 |
| Sufficient | 13 | 15 |
| Poor | 10 | 12 |
| OVERALL | 86 | 100% |
SEPA has also revealed that 88% of Scotland’s bathing waters have met the strict environmental water quality standards overall and that fewer bathing waters have been rated as ‘poor’ since the tighter standards first came into force in 2015.
In the Highlands and Islands improvements have been seen with Dores moving up to ‘excellent’ and Nairn (Central) and Thurso both moving up to a ‘good’ rating. In North-East Scotland Lunan Bay and Peterhead (Lido) have both improved to ‘excellent’, with Aberdeen moving up to ‘good’.
In South-East Scotland Dunbar (East) and Thorntonloch have both improved to ‘excellent’ with Yellow Craig and Seton Sands both improving to ‘good’. This year Portobello (West) in the outskirts of Edinburgh and Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire have both passed for the first time with Portobello (West) achieving the ‘sufficient’ classification and SEPA rating Cruden Bay as ‘good’.
Ranked as the most beautiful country in the world by Rough Guide, Scotland’s natural environment is world-renowned. Its beaches range from remote, unspoilt Hebridean sands to golden stretches along northern and eastern coves and popular Western shores.
This season beach users will have access to real time water quality forecasts, and live information on any pollution incidents, thanks to SEPA scientists who sample the water and combine with state-of-the-art weather data to provide daily bathing water forecasts throughout the three and a half months of the bathing season. These are available at 31 bathing water locations by 10am every morning through:
- sepa.org.uk/bathingwaters – SEPA’s website
- 08452 30 30 98 – SEPA’s Beachline
- Live electronic signs at 31 designated beach locations
Calum McPhail, SEPA Environmental Quality manager, said: “Every day SEPA works to protect and enhance Scotland’s stunning environment. It is great news that more bathing waters have met the ‘excellent’ standard than since the new tighter standards first came into force in 2015 and we are also pleased to reveal that fewer bathing waters are rated as ‘poor’.
“Each bathing water is different with a unique set of potential water quality challenges. Working with partners we’re continuing our focus on bathing waters rated as ‘poor’ with tailored improvement plans, prepared by SEPA, well underway. Last summer we reported that, having been a priority project, both Nairn sites had passed for the first time.
“This season we see that in addition to Nairn (East) continuing to meet last year’s standard, Nairn (Central) has improved even further to a ‘good’ rating – and Portobello (West) and Cruden Bay have both passed for the first time.
“We are committed to providing real time information on bathing water quality to ensure those heading to Scotland’s beaches can have a great day, and through partnership working we hope to see further improvements in bathing water quality in the coming months and years.”
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am pleased to see so many of our designated bathing waters meeting the strict environmental water quality standards, and that a growing number are achieving the top rating.
While a trip to the beach may always be dependent on our unique Scottish summer, beachgoers can have confidence that our bathing waters are being constantly monitored and their quality ensured.
“Scotland’s shorelines and waters are among the most beautiful in the world and significant progress has been made, in the space of just a few years, to improve standards still further. In cases where a lower rating has been achieved – often due to individual circumstances – SEPA and its partners are working through a comprehensive course of action to drive improvement.”
A Scottish Water spokeswoman said: “We welcome the continued improvement in bathing water performance. Scottish Water has undertaken significant investment in partnership with SEPA in recent years to support bathing water quality.
“We will continue to work with partner organisations to improve bathing water quality where required. People can help look after our waters by remembering not to put the wrong items down toilets and sinks as these can block drains and sewers and cause pollution on beaches.”
| Lothian, mid Scotland and Fife
(7 excellent, 6 good, 2 sufficient, 2 poor) |
|
| Aberdour (Silversands) | Excellent |
| Aberdour Harbour (Black Sands) | Good |
| Anstruther (Billow Ness) | Excellent |
| Burntisland | Good |
| Crail (Roome Bay) | Excellent |
| Elie (Harbour) and Earlsferry | Excellent |
| Elie (Ruby Bay) | Excellent |
| Fisherrow Sands | Poor |
| Kinghorn (Harbour Beach) | Poor |
| Kinghorn (Pettycur) | Good |
| Kingsbarns | Excellent |
| Kirkcaldy (Seafield) | Good |
| Leven | Good |
| Portobello (Central) | Sufficient |
| Portobello (West) | Sufficient |
| St Andrews (East Sands) | Good |
| St Andrews (West Sands) | Excellent |
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