A STUNNING stretch of sand is being celebrated as one of just two beaches in Scotland to have achieved a top award for 30 years.

Gullane Bents, along with St Andrews West Sands, has consistently achieved award status through environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Members of the local community joined East Lothian Council at Gullane Bents to celebrate three decades of beach management with representatives of the charity.

Combatting climate change, tackling litter and managing and enhancing places are key to Keep Scotland Beautiful’s work, and Scottish beaches are all impacted by these challenges.

Councillor Colin McGinn, cabinet spokesperson for community wellbeing and sport, countryside and leisure, was among those celebrating the achievement.

He said: “We are very proud of the fact that Gullane Bents has maintained its status in the Beach Awards for so many years.

“Gullane, like many other beaches in East Lothian, is very popular with local residents and visitors alike.

“Recognition by Keep Scotland Beautiful is testament to the very high standard of quality which has been achieved so consistently since the inception of the awards and is something we are very keen to build on.

“There’s lots to see and do in East Lothian this summer – including visiting fantastic events and attractions, excellent food and drink and welcoming local businesses.

“We hope this award will very much keep Gullane Bents, and East Lothian generally, on the map as a top coastal and countryside visitor destination.

“With recent improvements to facilities including new toilets, the beach is an ideal place to visit this summer and beyond.”

Scotland’s beaches are enjoyed by thousands every year, all taking part in different activities, from wild swimming to family picnics, and from walking and paddleboarding to land yachting.

To ensure beaches are managed sensitively for nature and people, beach managers and communities work hard to drive investment and make ongoing improvements to facilities and natural habitats.

This year, 53 beaches were recognised with Scotland’s Beach Award by the charity, which supports beach managers and communities striving to manage and improve their beaches.

East Lothian now boasts eight award beaches – Seton Sands, Gosford Bay, Gullane Bents, Yellowcraig, North Berwick West Beach, North Berwick Milsey Bay, Belhaven Bay and Dunbar East.

Tom Brock, chairman of Keep Scotland Beautiful, offered his congratulations.

He said: “We have supported beach managers and communities across Scotland to drive up environmental standards at many of our beaches for residents and visitors alike.

“Popular beaches attract a diverse range of visitors, all of whom look for different facilities and have different expectations. Scotland’s Beach Award scheme, and the collective expertise of beach managers across Scotland, drives improvements through a framework which supports the management of our beach environments and the people who visit them.”