Environment

Former prime minister Gordon Brown who has said that states which banked 'staggering' profits from the high price of oil last year should pay a global windfall levy to help poorer nations in the fight against climate change. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Gordon Brown: States that reaped 'staggering' oil profits should pay global wind...

PIC LISA FERGUSON 0/05/2022

Lower Largo Beach, Lower Largo Bathing Pool has been added to SEPA

Scotland has highest number of bathing waters ever â€“ as two new locations designated for 2022

Lower Largo in Fife and Barassie in Ayrshire are now Scottish designated bathing waters following a decision by Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan MSP. This brings the total number of bathing waters in Scotland to 87, the highest number on record.

Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, designates Lower Largo in Fife and Barassie in Ayrshire as Scottish bathing waters.

Designations brings the total number of Bathing Waters in Scotland to 87 â€“ the highest number on record.

Locals and visitors are encouraged to play their part in protecting and improving the quality of the new bathing waters.

Two further applications for bathing waters did not meet the criteria for designation.

Four applications were received for designation in 2022 and considered by the Bathing Water Review Panel. Recommendations based on the criteria for designation were passed to the Minister for Environment and Land Reform who has made the following decisions:

The applications for Lower Largo in Fife, submitted by Largo Area Community Council with support from Fife Council, and Barassie in Ayr, submitted by Friends of Troon beaches with support from South Ayrshire Council, showed they met the criteria for bathing water designation:

A large number of bathers use the bathing water.

There was community support for designation

There was support from the local authority and willingness to accept beach management duties.

Two applications did not meet the criteria for designation.

Evidence provided with the application for Wardie Bay in Edinburgh demonstrated it met two of the criteria for bathing water designation, as a large number of bathers use the bathing water during the season and there was community support for the designation.

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BEST PORTRAIT
GLISTENING-GREEN Glistening-green Tanager Chlorochrysa phoenicotis. Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Ecuador. Nicolas Reusens, Spain. Category: Best Portrait. GOLD AWARD WINNER.
Venturing into the tropical forest, I was excited to spot the rare Glistening-green Tanager. After hours of waiting, I saw the vivid-green bird on a perfect heart-shaped leaf. Its shimmering feathers reflected a dazzling array of colours. I captured every detail, grateful for this magical moment amid the lush jungle backdrop.
Canon EOS R7 with Tamron 100–400mm f/4.5–6.3 lens. 213mm; 1/500s; f/7.1; ISO 400

Bird Photographer of the Year Award 2023

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