Lothian beaches make the grade in quality survey

Published on 19/09/2012 12:00

NINE beaches stretching east from Portobello to Pease Bay in East Lothian have met the highest quality guidelines in the latest survey by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The figures for the bathing season, which runs from May to September, have given pass marks to Portobello (Central), Longniddry, Gullane, Yellowcraig, North Berwick Misley Bay and West, Dunbar Bellhaven, Thortonloch and Pease Bay.

Three other beaches – Seton Sands, Dunbar East and Whitesands – met the basic “mandatory” EU standard. A total of 81 of the 83 beaches surveyed in Scotland met the minimum standard required.

SEPA said part of the blame for beaches that failed was due to heavy rain washing chemicals out to sea.