IRVINE Beach has been named the winner of a coveted award for environmental excellence for the third year running.
It's one of 51 beaches around Scotland to win a 'Scotland's Beach Award' from environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Six beaches in neighbouring South Ayrshire - Ayr, Prestwick, Girvan, Troon South Beach, Barassie and Maidens - also made the Scotland Beach Awards list.
But Irvine, which is looked after by North Ayrshire Council and the Irvine Clean Up Crew, is once again the only beach in North Ayrshire to carry off the accolade.
Irvine Clean Up Crew chair Jen Pless said: "We are absolutely delighted that Irvine Beach has been given a Beach Flag Award again this year.
“For Irvine Clean Up Crew it is one of our biggest and proudest achievements of the year. We think Irvine Beach is pretty special, so we are over the moon that those judging the beach award applications see that too.
“The award recognises all of the collaborative effort between ourselves, North Ayrshire Council, Coastwatch and other organisations to make sure Irvine beach stays in tip-top condition all year round.
“The beach is a huge asset for the local area and we are so grateful that the vast majority of visitors to the beach leave nothing but footprints when it is time to go home. We wish everyone another wonderful summer season on Irvine Beach."
Thomas Reaney, head of service for neighbourhood services at NAC, added: “On behalf of North Ayrshire Council and Streetscene colleagues, I would like to share my sincere thanks to Irvine Clean Up Crew who have played an integral part to tackle litter and keep Irvine Beach looking its best.
"To win the Keep Scotland Beautiful Award once again is testament to their hard work and dedication.
“Groups like Irvine Clean Up Crew are the exact reason why North Ayrshire’s beaches are on the tourism map, and I would like to remind residents to do their part this summer by taking rubbish home with them and ensuring to put the right stuff in the right bin, to #KeepNorthAyrshireBeautiful throughout the busy summer months.”
Jamie Ormiston, training and accreditation coordinator at Keep Scotland Beautiful, 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 devastating 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.”
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