Fergus Ewing MSP, Millport’s beach has been officially confirmed once again as one of Scotland’s best.

It has been announced that the beach was one of the winners chosen by Keep Scotland Beautiful in the 2014 Scottish Seaside Awards — for the fourth year in a row.

The award recognises good water quality and excellent litter, safety, and environmental management procedures.

North Ayrshire councillor Tony Gurney said: “It comes as great news that one of North Ayrshire’s most beautiful beaches has been awarded a Scottish Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful.

“The council works hard to ensure North Ayrshire’s beaches are kept clean and tidy for the use of both local residents and visitors, so to have won this prestigious award is great recognition of the work that is being carried out.” The awards for 2014 were unveiled by Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, during a visit to Nairn Beach.

Celebrating some of the cleanest and best managed beaches in the country, the Seaside Award scheme has been used as a quality benchmark for Scotland’s beaches for the past 22 years.

Seaside awards help signpost visitors to the best managed areas of Scotland’s seaside and coastline. The most recent visitor figures show that in 2013, the Year of Natural Scotland, there was an increase in the share of seaside holidays to 17% (from 14%) of all holiday trips.

Mr Ewing said: “Scotland has some of the best beaches in the world – from traditional bucket and spade resorts to remote rural locations – and this highest level of Seaside Awards is evidence of the quality and experience that they offer to visitors and locals alike.

“Our natural environment is an important reason as to why people visit Scotland, which we celebrated last year during Year of Natural Scotland. Our beaches play a large part in this, and it is fantastic to see so many gain accolades through the Seaside Awards, and the work that beach managers and Keep Scotland Beautiful do in ensuring this.” Mark Bevan, head of campaigns at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “We are working to improve the quality of our local environment across the country, and we know that beaches are an important asset for local communities and their economies so it is great to announce so many awards in recognition of excellent management this year, including popular seaside resort, Millport Beach”.