Blue Flag

About

Broughty Ferry Beach

The Blue Flag programme is administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

There are three types of Blue Flag awarded in Scotland - the Blue Flag for Beaches, Blue Flag for Marinas and the Individual Blue Flag.

The prestigious Blue Flag is acknowledged in 41 countries around the world. The programme is designed to raise environmental awareness and increase good environmental practise amongst tourists, local communities and beach and marina operators.

This year almost 3,000 beaches will fly a www.blueflag.org in the Northern Hemisphere. Find out where the winning Scottish Blue Flag beaches by viewing our current award holders map.

Blue Flag Beach

Blue Flag Programme

Seven Scottish beaches will fly the Blue Flag in 2010. They all achieve excellent water quality, provide good facilities, environmental education activities, and high levels of cleanliness. Blue Flag beaches will typically provide toilets, first aid, disabled access, facilities, information and maps. They are all supervised and often have lifeguards present during the peak season.

All Blue Flag beaches are monitored during the summer season and assessed against the 32 criteria. If problems are found, or criteria not met, the beach manager must lower the flag until all standards are achieved again.

For information on the Blue Flag programme in other countries please visit the Blue Flag website.

To find out more about applying for a Blue Flag please contact beach@ksbscotland.org.uk

Blue Flag Beach Criteria

Blue Flag Marina

Marinas and harbours with pontoons for recreational boats can also be awarded the Blue Flag if they meet strict management criteria.

The growth of recreational boating and marinas has prompted a growing awareness of the need to protect the environmental quality of waterways as an integral part of the management of coastal areas.

The Blue Flag Marina must meet 23 criteria which come under one of four topics:

  1. Environmental education and information provision
  2. Environmental management
  3. Safety and services
  4. Water quality

There are currently no Blue Flag marinas in Scotland.

For information on the Blue Flag programme in other countries please visit the Blue Flag website.

To find out more about applying for a Blue Flag please contact beach@ksbscotland.org.uk

Blue Flag Marina 2010

Individual Blue Flag

More than 100 boat owners have signed a voluntary code of conduct and received an Individual Blue Flag (IBF) pennant in Scotland.

The IBF scheme aims to encourage individuals to adopt good environmental practice. Recreational boat owners and users who wish to raise the profile of environmental issues and make a personal commitment to look after the marine environment are now able to contribute to the Blue Flag Programme.

If you are based in Scotland and would like to apply for an Individual Blue Flag, please use our IBF Online Application Form.

Downloadable posters are available for use at your local yacht club or harbour. They can be found in our leaflets and support information section.