Bathing waters continue to perform well across Scotland for 2026
Date published: 18 November 2025
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published the 2026 bathing water classifications, showing the national picture across Scotland’s coasts and inland waters. The majority of designated bathing waters continue to meet high environmental standards, with 47 rated Excellent and 26 rated Good for the year ahead.
A further 13 bathing waters are classified as Sufficient, and three coastal locations remain Poor. In total, 82% of bathing waters achieve Good or Excellent, and 97% meet required standards, reflecting the progress delivered through regulation, investment and sustained partnership working since classifications were first introduced in 2015.
As Scotland’s environmental regulator, SEPA monitor water quality across all 89 designated bathing waters during the summer months from 15 May to 15 September, working with Scottish Water, local authorities, land managers and communities to identify issues and support action. Classifications are based on a four-year rolling dataset, meaning both long-term improvements and isolated high results can influence year-to-year changes.
These results reflect that pattern. Several bathing waters have improved their classification and consistently strong results across the dataset reflect on the ground improvements. Others have moved down a category where one or more elevated results affected the four-year picture. Where necessary, SEPA will continue to focus improvement work at these locations to support recovery and long-term resilience.
For the 2026 season, Kinghorn Harbour and Lower Largo in Fife, and Fisherrow Sands in East Lothian remain classified as Poor. Each location is supported by a tailored improvement plan which can involve SEPA, Scottish Water, local authorities and land managers as appropriate. This work can include targeted investigations into pressures on local drainage and wastewater networks, action to tackle diffuse pollution, misconnection tracing and enhanced monitoring at key points in the catchment. SEPA will provide updates on progress at these sites ahead of the 2026 bathing season.
Dr Ruth Stidson, Principal Scientist for Bathing Waters at SEPA, said:
“Scotland’s bathing waters continue to perform well overall, with most achieving Good or Excellent status for the year ahead. The progress made over the past decade reflects significant investment and strong partnership working across the country.
As we look to the future, our priority is driving improvement at the most impacted locations and building resilience across the wider water environment. With changing weather patterns and increasing pressures on drainage and wastewater systems, ongoing regulation is essential - alongside collaboration with Scottish Water, local authorities, land managers and communities. We are committed to reducing pollution at source, protecting public health, and providing clear, accessible information for everyone who enjoys Scotland’s waters.”
Notes to editor
Find more information about Scotland’s bathing waters, including locations, profiles and classifications, on SEPA's bathing waters pages.
Bathing water classifications are calculated in accordance with rules and standards prescribed in The Bathing Waters (Scotland) Regulations 2008. Find more information about bathing waters legislation.
Classifications are calculated for the following season using data across the previous four years, from 2022-2025.
SEPA led a national awareness raising campaign when these rules were introduced, and in 2010 started a programme of rural diffuse pollution work which was significantly expanded in 2015. Find more information about rural diffuse pollution including a list of priority catchments on SEPA’s website.
Scottish Water’s campaign work with customers and food service establishments aims to drive a reduction in sewer choke numbers and protect bathing waters from instances of pollution. Find out more about the Nature Calls campaign and how you can help protect the network and Scotland’s water environment on Scottish Water’s website.
Classifications for 2026
Aberdeen – Excellent
Aberdour (Silversands) - Excellent
Aberdour Harbour (Black Sands) - Excellent
Achmelvich - Excellent
Anstruther (Billow Ness) - Excellent
Arbroath (West Links) - Excellent
Ayr (South Beach) - Sufficient
Balmedie - Excellent
Barassie Bay - Good
Brighouse Bay - Good
Broad Sands - Good
Broughty Ferry - Excellent
Burntisland - Sufficient
Carnoustie - Excellent
Carrick - Excellent
Coldingham - Good
Collieston - Good
Crail (Roome Bay) - Excellent
Cruden Bay - Excellent
Cullen Bay - Excellent
Culzean - Excellent
Dhoon Bay - Sufficient
Dores - Good
Dornoch - Excellent
Dunbar (Belhaven) - Good
Dunbar (East) - Sufficient
Dunnet - Excellent
Elie (Harbour) and Earlsferry - Excellent
Elie (Ruby Bay) - Excellent
Ettrick Bay - Good
Eyemouth - Sufficient
Findhorn - Excellent
Fisherrow Sands - Poor
Fraserburgh (Philorth) - Excellent
Fraserburgh (Tiger Hill) - Good
Gairloch Beach - Excellent
Ganavan - Excellent
Girvan - Sufficient
Gullane - Excellent
Heads of Ayr - Sufficient
Inverboyndie - Good
Irvine - Good
Kinghorn (Harbour Beach) - Poor
Kinghorn (Pettycur) - Good
Kingsbarns - Excellent
Kirkcaldy (Seafield) - Excellent
Largs (Pencil Beach) - Excellent
Leven - Good
Loch Morlich - Excellent
Longniddry - Good
Lossiemouth (East) - Good
Lower Largo - Poor
Lunan Bay - Excellent
Lunderston Bay - Good
Luss Bay - Good
Machrihanish - Excellent
Maidens - Sufficient
Millport Bay - Excellent
Monifieth - Excellent
Montrose - Excellent
Mossyard - Good
Nairn (Central) - Excellent
Nairn (East) - Excellent
North Berwick (Milsey Bay) - Good
North Berwick (West) - Good
Pease Bay - Excellent
Peterhead (Lido) - Excellent
Portobello (Central) - Sufficient
Portobello (West) - Sufficient
Prestwick - Excellent
Rockcliffe - Sufficient
Rosehearty - Excellent
Rosemarkie - Excellent
Saltcoats/Ardrossan - Good
Sand Beach - Excellent
Sandyhills - Good
Seacliff - Excellent
Seamill - Excellent
Seton Sands - Good
Southerness - Sufficient
St Andrews (East Sands) - Excellent
St Andrews (West Sands) - Good
Stonehaven - Excellent
Thorntonloch - Excellent
Thurso - Good
Troon (South Beach) - Excellent
Wardie Beach - Good
Whitesands - Excellent
Yellow Craig - Sufficient