The number of beaches in Scotland named among the best in the UK has fallen for a second year running, with the list becoming more selective over water quality criteria. Six beaches make the Times and Sunday Times top 50 , including three in the Highlands, two in the north east and one in East Lothian. Last year seven Scottish beaches featured on the list while in 2022 there were nine.
Chris Haslam, the newspaper's chief travel writer, says only beaches rated as 'excellent' by environment agencies have made it into the guide. He said: "In years past, if it's only got a good rating (for water quality) it's got onto the list but such is the concern now about the state of our waters that this year they're only getting on if they're excellent." The list describes Findhorn beach in Moray as "more Iberian than Hibernian" while visitors to Gullane Bents "could be in the Aegean.
" Chris visited all 50 beaches listed and evaluated them through an 11-point checklist which covered water quality, accessibility and dog-friendliness. In fact he visited 543 beaches across the UK before selecting the final 50. From last year's guide, only Findhorn beach in Moray made it onto the list again.
Among the beaches which dropped out were West Sands in St Andrews and Coldingham in the Borders. Jayne Batey and Rob Wynne are regular visitors with their dog Rolo to the beach at Balmedie in Aberdeenshire, which stretches for 13 miles along the north east coast. They like the contrast between the sand dun.
