Machrihanish Beach

[Ags]

Since somebody else has brought this up and it wasn't me just having a rant......I think it's great to see the surfers using Machrihanish but one of the bank holiday weekends in May we had a walk on the beach with friends! 31 cars were parked on the beach at the time with others coming and going all day. There was no pleasure at all in walking the beach with 2 wee boys not yet old enough to have "road sense". Sorry Sar Team Leader but I'm pleased to see the gate locked. As Ross says, it's not that far a walk for surfers etc and it means the kids and the dogs can enjoy the beach.

[SAR TEAM LEADER]

Since somebody else has brought this up and it wasn't me just having a rant......I think it's great to see the surfers using Machrihanish but one of the bank holiday weekends in May we had a walk on the beach with friends! 31 cars were parked on the beach at the time with others coming and going all day. There was no pleasure at all in walking the beach with 2 wee boys not yet old enough to have "road sense". Sorry Sar Team Leader but I'm pleased to see the gate locked. As Ross says, it's not that far a walk for surfers etc and it means the kids and the dogs can enjoy the beach.

Ags can I ask where 31 cars will park now the gate is locked? My guess is on a busy day they will be parked on the pavements or carriageway making it more unsafe for people and motorists no matter how much road sense they have.

If the gate is locked, was the emergency sevices informed, i.e. does the Inshore Lifeboat have a key if the need to launch from the beach?

Come to think of it the last time I was on the beach, at the start of June there was a handful of cars all surfers. As I was aproaching the first tee a black BMW estate passed me going onto the beach, the guy gave me a friendly wave. LOL

[Ags]

Ags can I ask where 31 cars will park now the gate is locked? My guess is on a busy day they will be parked on the pavements or carriageway making it more unsafe for people and motorists no matter how much road sense they have.

If the gate is locked, was the emergency sevices informed, i.e. does the Inshore Lifeboat have a key if the need to launch from the beach?

Come to think of it the last time I was on the beach, at the start of June there was a handful of cars all surfers. As I was aproaching the first tee a black BMW estate passed me going onto the beach, the guy gave me a friendly wave. LOL

There are never normally that many cars I was merely using that day as an example. There is ample parking on a normal daily basis! and as far as I am aware emergency services have access to a key, there was always one or more held at the golfclub when it was locked before. Let me just add the gates being locked are NOTHING to do with the Golf Club! As far as I know the GRAB trust are behind this, and I would say good on them, but yet again tonight there are cars on the beach!! The point I was trying to make is surely children and animals should be allowed to run freely on the beach without parents/owners having to watch out for cars!!

[chattichatton]

just noticed that MSN are still saying that Machrihanish is one of the worse beaches in the UK

[EMDEE]

I've been checking this all week. How long is it going to take to get this wholly wrong bad publicity removed?

[Lossit Lass]

LIBEL, anyone?!?
The fact that they've been made aware of their error & have yet to remove/correct it is absurd, and surely potentially criminal considering all the money (ntm, 'blood, sweat & tears') being poured into the area's attractions?? How (& why) are they getting away with this?

[KSB]

I just want to let you all know Machrihanish beach has the best water quality possible. The articles mentioned on this post are inaccurate and both The Grab Trust and Keep Scotland Beautiful have contacted the newspapers and forums to ask for retractions. Machrihanish beach has achieved excellent water quality since 2003, and has once again this year achieved Seaside Award status. The management of the beach has improved year on year, discouraging vehicles from accessing it is part of this, and everyone is working hard so that locals and visitors can enjoy.
For further accurate informtiaon about water quality please visit http://apps.sepa.org.uk/bathingwaters/r ... ?id=124505 and for information about the Seaside Awards visit www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/coastal
If you have any specific questions please contact me at beach@keepscotlandbeautiful.org

[elainemck]

I took a surf lesson (run by Surf Break's shop - was excellent!) at Machrihanish beach today and the beach itself was lovely, no litter, nice floury sand and even got a few good waves

The gate was shut today but it was no hassle to walk to and from the wee car park where the old shop was.

[EMDEE]

Just looked in to check the link again, and sure enough, Machrihanish is still there!

[Ags]

I have checked too Emdee and it's still there today. Have you anymore news from GRAB trust Kintyre84?

[Ship called Dignity]

See this is still the same I have e-mailed a copy of this link to Louise Rovertson at the grab trust.

[Lossit Lass]

See this is still the same I have e-mailed a copy of this link to Louise Rovertson at the grab trust.

just curious if you've heard back from her/them yet, Ship?

[Kintyre Forum News]

See this is still the same I have e-mailed a copy of this link to Louise Rovertson at the grab trust.

just curious if you've heard back from her/them yet, Ship?

No change despite Louise's attempts to get the article changed. What is worrying is over 840 people have voted on this article. If this is only the people who have voted then how many have actually read it?!

From: Robertson, Louise
Sent: 12 August 2009 09:28
To: 'msnenvironment@live.co.uk'
Subject: Error in reporting re Machrihanish Beach

Dear MSN Environment,

I have previously contacted you to report an error on reporting on your site but have neither received a response nor has the article been amended. I would be most grateful if you could investigate this matter. I have been unable to use your report an error page as it will not accept my email as it is over 1000 characters.

Here is a link to you inaccurate article –

http://environment.uk.msn.com/green-liv ... ageindex=9

Your article mentions Machrihanish as being listed by the EU as a dirty beach. This was also reported by the Press Association, The Scotsman and The Telegraph. Following investigation, the Press Association issued a retraction on the 13th July and following this The Telegraph and the Scotsman amended their online articles.

Here is a link to the Telegraphs amended article –

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthn ... dards.html

Here is a link to the Scotsman’s amended article –

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestn ... 5359843.jp

I am concerned that your article could cause damage to the reputation of this area that relies heavily on tourism. In light of the negative publicity that you have given Machrihanish Beach I would be grateful if you would issues an article extolling the natural beauty and cleanliness of this exceptional beach. The beach at Machrihanish features in the Marine Conservation Society's (MCS) Good Beach Guide and has also been awarded a Seaside Award (Rural) by Keep Scotland Beautiful. The MCS bases its decisions on water quality alone and Keep Scotland Beautiful's award also recognises water quality (amongst many other criteria). Information on the Seaside Award is available at http://coastal.keepscotlandbeautiful.or ... awards.asp

It should also be noted that you article also contains a picture of Westport Beach rather than Machrihanish Beach.

Please could you let me know once the article is amended?

Regards

Louise


Louise Robertson
Project Worker
Argyll and Bute Beach Forum
The GRAB Trust (Group for Recycling in Argyll and Bute)
C/o Argyll & Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RT
T: 01546 604226, M: 07810 855588
louise.robertson@argyll-bute.gov.uk
www.grab.org.uk

[Lossit Lass]

See this is still the same I have e-mailed a copy of this link to Louise Rovertson at the grab trust.

just curious if you've heard back from her/them yet, Ship?

No change despite Louise's attempts to get the article changed. What is worrying is over 840 people have voted on this article. If this is only the people who have voted then how many have actually read it?!

More than 840 we can be sure. But 10 was too many. Pretty reckless & unprofessional behavior overall on their part. Not to mention their apparent blatant disregard for the potential negative effects their fixable error could have. Is there no one in charge there???

[4th gen Suthen']

That really is an awful state of affairs.