Seven beaches fail quality test

Nairn East failed last year, but got a basic pass this year

Seven Scottish beaches have failed to meet European bathing water quality standards, according to the 20th edition of the Good Beach Guide.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS), which compiles the guide, recommended 48 of the 110 Scottish beaches tested.

Thirteen more had a good water quality standard, while 42 got a basic pass.

Lower Largo, Fife; Largs Main, North Ayrshire; St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire, and Mossyard in Dumfries and Galloway were among those that failed.

The others were Stevenston in North Ayrshire and Barassie and Dunure in South Ayrshire.

READ THE FINDINGS MCS Good Beach Guide 2007 [77KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

Nairn East in Highland, which failed last year, has been given a basic pass.

Ten Scottish beaches failed a round of tests in 2006.

Calum Duncan, MCS Scottish conservation manager, was pleased that more had made the grade this year.

He added: "We're also delighted to report that the number of beaches achieving our tough water quality standard is four times higher than 10 years ago.

"Our bathing waters used to be awash with raw sewage, and the Good Beach Guide drew a line in the sand 20 years ago for what was acceptable."

The society said run-off from farmland during periods of heavy rain, storm-related pollution and sewer overflow discharge were to blame for beaches failing.