Scotland's 'best zero litter beach' named where there is no rubbish
Scotland's best beach with "zero litter" has been named for summer. It appeared on a UK-wide list of the nation's top clean beaches.
With the high temperatures that swept across the country over for the time being, Scots will be counting down the days until the sun comes back out. While heading to the beach is classic sunny day activity, Scotland's beaches are so beautiful that they look picturesque even in wet and grey weather.
New data from plastic waste experts at BusinessWaste.co.uk has revealed the UK's 15 least littered beaches. The experts looked at online reviews of beaches across the nation and singled out bays where no visitors mentioned litter.
The only Scottish beach to appear on BusinessWaste.co.uk's list is Luskentyre on the Isle of Harris. The bay also placed at number four on the experts' overall list.
According to BusinessWaste.co.uk, there are 1,149 online reviews of Luskentyre. Zero of these reviews include the word ' litter '.
Luskentyre Beach, also known as Luskentyre Sands, is situated along the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides. It is among the largest and most scenic bays on the island.
The beach is award-winning, previously being named among the best bays in the UK and Europe by Tripadvisor. However, owing to its remote location, Luskentyre is usually quiet despite its acclaim.
The beach is renowned for its miles of pristine sands and vibrant turquoise water. It also offers awe-inspiring views out over to the island of Taransay, which is where the iconic BBC series Castaway was filmed.
Elsewhere, topping the experts' list as the best zero-litter beach in the UK is Southwold Pier in Suffolk. The English beach has received 2,641 reviews online, none of which mention litter.
Following behind in second and third place are Sandsend Beach in North Yorkshire and Horsey Beach in Norfolk, with 1,349 and 1,259 reviews respectively. Rounding out the top five is Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall in fifth place, which has 694 online reviews.
Plastic waste expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk Graham Matthews commented: "Litter on the UK's beaches turns our natural beauty spots into an eyesore and poses a huge environmental threat to marine life. Each year, as the weather heats up, we see a sharp rise in people flocking to the seaside, but sadly, many don't clean up after themselves.
"It's common to find food packaging, disposable BBQs, and even human and animal waste scattered across our shores. All this unsightly litter ruins the enjoyment of our beaches, but it also threatens local wildlife.
"Plastic is a particularly major hazard as it takes so long to break down naturally. Initially, this litter can endanger wildlife, entangle animals or be ingested. However, over time, plastic breaks down into smaller particles known as microplastics that find their way into water, sea life, and even our food chain."
Matthews also shared how day-trippers can help keep Scotland's beaches clean. The expert revealed what people can do to ensure the nation's bays are not flooded with litter.
Matthews added: "Beachgoers must take responsibility for the impact of their visit. You should always bin any litter or take it home with you if this isn't possible.
"Remember to bring a bag with you to collect any rubbish once you've finished your visit. Beyond this, it's important to reduce your impact further. Consider bringing reusable water bottles as opposed to single-use plastic and avoid the use of difficult-to-clear items such as disposable BBQs.
"Local councils may find it hard to keep on top of litter, especially during unpredictable peak periods. Simple provisions like signage, employing local volunteers, and providing litter picking equipment for the public can make a huge difference.
"Outside of this, the best deterrent is to issue fines to those who continue to litter our natural beauty spots."
See below for the full list of the best beaches in the UK with no litter. For more information, visit BusinessWaste.co.uk.
The top UK beaches with zero litter
Southwold Pier, Suffolk
Sandsend Beach, North Yorkshire
Horsey Beach, Norfolk
Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris
Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall
Robin Hoods Bay Beach, North Yorkshire
Whitesands Bay, St Davids
Ballycastle Beach, Antrim
Traeth Crigyll, Anglesey
Embleton Bay, Northumberland
Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
Portstewart Strand, Londonderry
Tenby North Beach, Pembrokeshire
Whiterocks Beach, Portrush
Tyrella Beach, County Down
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