Record number of Green Flag Awards for Scotland’s green spaces

85 Scottish green spaces presented with a Green Flag Award

At a ceremony in Duthie Park, Aberdeen yesterday (26 July), Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced that 85 Scottish green spaces achieved the international Green Flag Award – and 36 of them are in Edinburgh.

The accolade acknowledges quality green open spaces across the country and recognises those who manage these sites, be they local authority staff, volunteers from the local community, or a combination.

The international Green Flag Award acts as a benchmark for recreational outdoor space. The award celebrates well maintained parks and green spaces and supports the opportunities that they provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe areas for play – something that has been particularly important to everyone over the last few years. Across the UK 2,208 parks have achieved the award this year.

Amongst the 2022 award winners are spaces managed by local authorities, community groups and various other organisations including NHS Lothian and Scottish Power Renewables.

Amongst others, first time awards have been presented to Lews Castle Grounds in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; Ninewells Community Garden in Dundee, and Viewfield Park Orchard in Nairn.

A full list of Scotland’s 2022 award winners can be found on our Green Flag Award webpages here.

Jamie Ormiston, our Beaches and Parks Officer, commented: “I would like to congratulate all of Scotland’s award-winning parks. Receiving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

“As the only accreditation for park management of its kind in Scotland, we have supported local authority teams, land managers and communities across Scotland to drive up environmental standards at many of our parks and open spaces for residents and visitors alike.

“Parks attract a diverse range of visitors, all of whom look for different facilities and have different expectations. The Green Flag Award, and the collective expertise of managers and communities across Scotland, drives improvements through a framework which supports the management of our environment, our wildlife and the people who visit. 

“Scotland’s parks and open spaces attract thousands of visitors every year and I’d encourage everyone to #RespectProtectEnjoy them this summer.”