A guide to Scotland’s Blue Flag beaches

Last week’s glorious weather served to remind us that summer is just around the corner, and Scotland boasts a stunning coastal line with breath-taking views and sweeping beaches.

A new list of eight Blue Flag beaches and 61 Seaside Awards has been published by the charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, with Fife dominating the top category.

The awards recognise high standards of cleanliness, safety and water quality.

Whether you’re an avid day tripper or choosing to holiday at home this year - our guide to internationally acclaimed Blue Flag beaches will help you decide where to go.

Aberdour Silver Sands

This beach is the main attraction of the Fife coast. Aberdour is a peaceful and tranquil, perfect for a family day out with a café, disabled access and children’s play area. There is also an opportunity to spot seals in the water that live on the nearby Inchcolm Island.

Broughty Ferry

Known as the ‘jewel of Dundee’s crown’ and set against a striking back-drop of sand dunes, this nature conservation site is habitat to a wealth of wildlife including sea birds, seals and porpoises. Broughty Ferry’s location offers visitors many other activities too, including a play area, rock garden and Broughty Castle Museum.

Burntisland Beach

Located to the east of Burntisland, this beach is enhanced by a haven of family-orientated entertainment including a leisure centre, crazy golf course and an annual summer fairground. But if you want to be at one with nature, wait until the tide goes out and take a careful walk along the mud flats all the way to the Black Rocks or Pettycur Beach.

Coldingham Sands

Coldingham is 200-metre, sheltered, sandy beach and its clear blue waters regularly attract bodyboarders and surfers. Facilities include a café, toilets and car parking. Hermit crabs can be seen bathing in the rock pools and a scattering of twee painted beach huts add to the appeal of this Berwickshire coastline beauty spot.

Elie Harbour

Elie Harbour features a wealth of water sport services including kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing. It provides a range of equipment for hire and has its own sailing club. A low tide at this beach links it with the adjacent Earlsferry, giving a mile of uninterrupted golden sands.

Elie Ruby Bay

A serene alternative to busier Elie harbour, Ruby Bay is a beautiful, natural environment and an ideal location to watch shore birds and other wildlife. Headland walks link the beach to the Fife Coastal Path and on a clear day, ramblers will be able to see Elie Lighthouse and the Lady’s Tower, the summerhouse built for Lady Janet Anstruther in the 18th century.

Kinghorn and Pettycur Bay

Located between the seaside towns of Kinghorn and Burntisland, this beach is a haven of tranquillity, perfect for walks with magical views of the Firth of Forth. Visitors can also watch the local fishermen bring in their catch at Pettycur Harbour or take a boat trip to one of the neighbouring islands.

Leven East

Leven East Beach’s popularity can be credited to its wealth of family entertainment including amusement arcades, children’s rides, crazy golf and a skateboard park. But the Blue flag was undoubtedly awarded for its green open spaces, long sandy beach and crystal clear waters.

• A Google map of all the beaches given awards