Eighty green spaces across Scotland have been presented with a Green Flag Award – and 36 of them are in Edinburgh.
Recognising the very best of our country’s outdoor areas, the International Green Flag Award acts as a benchmark for clean, safe and well-maintained parks and green spaces.
The Green Flag Award supports the opportunities that our green spaces provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe spaces for play.
Winners of the 2024 awards include parks managed by local authorities, community groups, universities and other organisations.
Edinburgh leads the way this year with 36 winners while there are nine in Aberdeen, eight winners in Dundee and plenty more across the country.
This year’s winners list also includes an impressive number of historically consecutive winners including Barnhill Rock Garden, Harrison Park and Braidburn Valley Park (18 years) and Duthie Park (12 years).
Jamie Ormiston, Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Training and Accreditation Coordinator, said: “Congratulations to all of our winners across Scotland. Receiving this prestigious award recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.
“What is most pleasing is the number of consecutive winners we have once again, showcasing the parks’ longevity and desire to continually be a welcoming and environmentally friendly place for all.
“Scotland is facing a biodiversity crisis, but these green spaces provide a space for everyone to reconnect with nature and I encourage everyone to do just that this summer.
“Green spaces are so important for our physical and mental wellbeing and it’s fantastic to see such a wide range of parks and green spaces across the entire length of the country.”
A total of 80 green spaces in Scotland have won a Green Flag Award for 2024. Across the UK there were 2,228 winners, a record number and up 11 from 2023’s total of 2,216.
People across Scotland have come together in their thousands to take positive action as part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s annual Spring Clean.
Between 15 March and 28 April more than 45,000 people from every local authority area across Scotland joined forces to take part in litter picks, gather data and to raise awareness of our litter emergency.
In total there were 3,564 litter picks registered, showing that people really do want to play an active part in improving the places they live, work and visit.
Across Scotland the volunteer efforts included:
567 litter picks with businesses
357 litter picks on beaches, rivers and canals
967 litter picks led by community groups.
399 litter picks involving schools, young people and educators.
Barry Fisher, KSB Chief Executive, said: “Although 90% of people agree litter is a problem across our beautiful country, what is inspiring is just how many thousands of people have played their part and enthusiastically joined a litter picking event during #SpringCleanScotland – an increase in 15,000 people from last year.
“I’d sincerely like to thank everyone who took part, giving up their time and showing just how much they care about keeping Scotland beautiful. Your commitment to tackling the litter emergency is extremely appreciated.”
Spring Clean Scotland is KSB’s annual challenge to tackle Scotland’s litter emergency, and follows the publication of the Scottish Litter Survey which found that seven in 10 people believe litter is a problem locally and 85% of people want to see more efforts to prevent litter in their area.
We’re delighted to also share our 2024 Spring Clean report, showcasing the amazing achievements of this year’s campaign.
Learn more about our work to tackle the litter emergency on our litter page.
More than 50 beaches have been recognised for their environmental excellence with a Scotland’s Beach Award.
The award, now in its 32nd year, celebrates the achievements of well-managed 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.
Scotland’s beaches are lynchpins of communities across the country, with stunning beauty spots ranging from rural to urban areas providing an attraction for people from across the country and beyond to come and enjoy.
Fife once again has the most award winners, with 13 beaches receiving an award. Furthermore Dornoch Beach, located in the Highlands, celebrates its 30th consecutive year of award wins.
Jamie Ormiston, KSB’s Training and Accreditation Coordinator,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 devasting 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.”
Jeremy Harris, CEO at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, said: “Once again Fife has the most award-winning beaches in Scotland. This is testament to our dedicated team who deliver the high standards that locals and visitors have come to expect.
“It’s a privilege to work with partners such as Keep Scotland Beautiful, Fife Council and the RNLI to ensure the Fringe of Gold tops the beach charts. And I’m delighted that Leven Beach is once again included, where we expect to welcome many more visitors now that the Levenmouth Rail Link has gone live.”
In order to achieve Scotland’s Beach Award, a range of criteria must be met, including beach safety, access and facilities, and cleanliness.
Focusing on local environmental quality, the award is designed to complement the work undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on bathing water quality. The full criteria can be accessed here.
The first national volunteer survey of litter found by Scottish rivers and waterways has revealed that plastic bottles were the most littered item, followed by plastic pieces, plastic snack packets, drinks cans and polystyrene pieces.
With 80% of marine litter coming from land, our Upstream Battle® campaign focuses on raising awareness, gathering evidence and inspiring action to change littering behaviour to prevent marine litter at source along rivers in Scotland.
The recently published Upstream Battle® Citizen Science Report – a snapshot of data gathered by volunteers across a three-month period between December 2023 and February 2024 – consists of 185 surveys conducted along 26 rivers and waterways in 20 local authority areas across Scotland. It forms part of the national rollout of the campaign, aimed at understanding and addressing marine litter across the country.
In total 20,383 items were counted during the survey period, with the majority of litter found to be items which would be addressed under a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) or effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.
The rest of the top 10 items littered include cigarettes, glass fragments, dog poo, plastic bottle caps and plastic bags.
Barry Fisher, our Chief Executive, said: “On the back of an extremely successful Spring Clean, this report celebrates the efforts of many individuals and groups who took time out of their busy lives to carry out surveys and send data to us, providing us with much needed evidence of the range of items that are damaging our rivers and waterways.
“The data shows similarities across the country, but also highlights regional nuances – this report highlights the importance of understanding and addressing these issues at a national and local level.
“I’d like to thank everyone who supported this data drive, from our tireless volunteers to our partners and funders who have shared and echoed our message and vision.
“Scotland’s litter emergency is damaging our rivers. We need our governments to commit to tackling single-use packaging litter through improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and to ensure a Deposit Return Scheme is not further delayed. These policy measures are needed now – litter levels will only get worse without them.”
Our Upstream Battle® campaign raises awareness of how litter from land travels from source to sea – becoming marine litter – and inspires people to take positive action.
KEEP Scotland Beautiful have recently awarded @NetworkRailSCOT‘s Central and Waverley stations and @brittaniayacht with a National Award for Environmental Excellence, which recognises the best practice in environmental and carbon management.
KEEP Scotland Beautiful’s#UpstreamBattle week of action is taking place from 20- 28 January, and we’ll be hosting events across the week focused on stopping litter’s journey from #Source2Sea.
Find out more about how you can get involved and what is happening near you here:
35 of these are maintained by the Council and the remaining three by the Friends of Corstorphine Hill (Corstorphine Hill LNR Community Walled Garden), NHS Lothian (Royal Edinburgh Hospital), and Heriot Watt University (The Lawn & Central Woodlands).
Edinburgh’s award recipients represent over one third of the 87 total Green Flag Awards across Scotland.
The Capital placed third overall in the UK in total Green Flag Awards.
The full list of awarded parks and greenspaces in Scotland is available here.
The International Green Flag Award is bestowed upon parks and greenspaces that demonstrate excellent management and adherence to environmental standards. To make sure Edinburgh’s parks are kept to a high standard, each year the Council checks all its parks and gardens using Green Flag Award criteria.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker, said: “I am delighted that 38 parks around Edinburgh have been recognised by Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Green Flag Awards scheme.
“The scheme recognises the quality of parks and greenspaces, their benefits to communities and the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers who keep them ticking over.
“Here in the Capital, we are truly spoiled for choice across the city when it comes to fantastic parks and green spaces. Each different space has a unique character and significance for the residents and visitors that it welcomes.
“As part of our Edinburgh’s Thriving Greenspaces 2050 strategy, we are committed to doing everything we can to safeguard, preserve and improve these spaces so that people can continue to enjoy them, and communities feel involved in how they are looked after.”
Pic Greg Macvean 13/07/2023
Keep Scotland Beautiful – Green Flag Award 2023/24
Jamie Ormiston, Senior Awards Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to our 38 award winners in Edinburgh. Every park has a wide range of people visiting them and their requirements can vary. What is essential is that they are well maintained and provide a safe place for people to relax and have fun.
“Our award-winning parks have demonstrated they are worthy winners, meeting the criteria of the coveted international award. Receiving this prestigious benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.
“It is imperative that Scotland reconnects with the natural world if we are to fix the biodiversity crisis and these green spaces will provide a space for people of all ages to do that.
“Green spaces are so important for our physical and mental wellbeing and it’s fantastic to see such a wide range of parks and green spaces across the entire length of the country. I encourage everyone to make the most of them this summer.”
More than £2,000 has been won by people across Scotland who are helping to tackle the litter emergency.
Keep Scotland Beautiful’s innovative partnership with behaviour change app LitterLotto recently passed the halfway mark and, to date, the charity has had 11 winners who have shared £2,400 with prizes ranging from £50 to £500.
Angela Breward from Fraserburgh was the first winner back in November, winning £250.
Since then we’ve had winners from all over Scotland including Glasgow, Dundee, the Highlands, Inverurie, Brechin and Inverclyde.
Lynn Seymour, James Sutherland, Bryan McMahon, Simon McGinley all also went on to win £250.
Lilly Cumming, Kirsty Murdoch and Allan Cherrie then won £50 each before the prize rocketed in the new year.
Katherine Thomas won £250 before Allan Bruce, the most recent winner, won £500.
Catherine Gee, KSB Deputy Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to see so many people from all over Scotland being rewarded for doing the right thing through our partnership with LitterLotto.
“This collaboration is all about encouraging people to help tackle the country’s looming litter emergency and it’s brilliant to see people across the country getting involved.
“I’m looking forward to seeing many more Scottish winners benefitting from helping to keep Scotland beautiful, and with our Spring Clean due to kick off in March it is the ideal time for people to get involved in making a difference.”
Dawn, Campaign Project Manager at LitterLotto, said: “It’s great to see our Scottish users benefiting from this regional jackpot.
“We hope that our partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful will encourage others to get involved.
“Our users help keep their communities clean and green and with LitterLotto you can win cash while doing good.”
This innovative venture is one of the many ways we are tackling the litter emergency with a national poll conducted by the environmental charity earlier this year highlighting two thirds of people believe that litter is an issue in their local area, and 87% believe that it is an issue across Scotland.
With the partnership continuing until the end of March there is still plenty of time for more people to get involved and be in with a chance of winning.
The LitterLotto app is available to download for free on the App Store and Android Store.
An urgent review of the environmental impacts and management of single-use vapes has been commissioned.
The review, which comes in response to emerging concerns around the negative consequences of the disposable devices, will inform potential policy responses, which could include a ban of the products.
The disposable smoking devices have been linked to issues including litter, plastic waste and fire risk.
Zero Waste Scotland will lead on the review, which will consider international experience and action, including any key developments in the European Union.
Other approaches could include increasing access to responsible disposal options, improved product design or public communications campaigns.
Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater said: “Not only are single-use vapes bad for public health, they are also bad for the environment. From litter on our streets, to the risk of fires in waste facilities, there are issues which need to be addressed urgently.
“We will consider the evidence and expert advice and come forward with policy options, which could include a potential ban on single-use vapes.
“In the meantime, we would urge everyone who uses these products to make sure they are disposed of properly.”
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Any form of littering is an unacceptable, anti-social behaviour, that is damaging to the environment and the economy.
“Single-use items, like disposable vapes, are becoming an all-too-common eyesore in areas where we live, work, and socialise, and can last in our environment for years and years. Tackling our throwaway culture is a priority here at Zero Waste Scotland and we are happy to lead on this important review.”
Correct disposal of e-cigarettes and vapes:
E-cigarettes or vapes should not be thrown away in general waste in order to avoid the risk of fire.
E-cigarettes or vapes should be disposed of at small waste electrical and electronic equipment receptacles widely available at household waste recycling centres.
If the batteries inside vapes are easily removable, these should be removed and disposed of in battery recycling receptacles.
The Scottish Government is working on a refreshed Tobacco Action Plan, which will be published this Autumn. This will consider a range of interventions with an emphasis on reducing smoking and vaping among children and young people.
Environment and health campaigners have welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement today to review single-use disposable e-cigarettes and their impacts on the environment.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of health charity, ASH Scotland, said: “We welcome the Scottish Government taking rapid action to explore and address the environmental harms of single-use vaping products. The easy availability of disposable e-cigarettes, which are being marketed with bright colours and sweet flavours, is driving a huge rise in children experimenting.
“Nicotine is highly addictive and many disposable vapes include toxic chemicals that have not been safety tested for inhalation and could seriously damage health over time – this is especially worrying for children and young people as their lungs are still growing.”
Climate activist, Laura Young, commented: “This review, and consideration of a ban cannot come quickly enough as we look to remove these harmful devices from our market. These have no place in a country moving towards Net Zero and a Circular Economy.
“Months of litter picking from streets, parks, and beaches, alongside campaigning efforts speaking to a variety of public health and environmental organisations has pushed this into the focus of the Scottish Government where we hope to see swift action to address the unintended consequences from these products.”
Catherine Gemmell, Scotland Conservation Officer for the Marine Conservation Society, said: “We’re delighted to hear that the Scottish Government is planning a review into a potential ban on disposable vapes after the matter was raised by Gillian Mackay MSP in Holyrood yesterday.
“Thanks to the brilliant work of our Youth Ocean Network member Laura young, known as Less Waste Laura, or the ‘Vape Crusader’, our concerns of the impact of disposable vapes on our ocean are being heard.
“To stop single-use items polluting Scotland’s seas we need to move towards a circular economy where products are repaired, refilled, recharged and reused. We support the call for a ban on disposable vapes, as well as clearer labelling on packaging for how to recycle reusable vapes with a free and easy take back scheme available in every outlet that sells them.”
Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful, added: “We are currently experiencing a litter emergency that is impacting communities across Scotland. Cigarette litter in general makes up the biggest chunk of litter we record across Scotland, and we know that single-use vapes are increasing as a new, unnecessary litter type.
“We are thrilled to hear that Circular Economy Minister, Lorna Slater, has announced a review into their environmental impact. We will continue to urge the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to ensure action is taken, up to and including a ban on single use vapes to stop this new litter type at source.”
