Improving Local Environments through Community Action
Beautiful Scotland is the biggest community environmental improvement campaign and award scheme in Scotland. For over 40 years we have been supporting the efforts of groups working to improve their local communities. Our campaigns reward groups not just for their gardening abilities but also for environmental responsibility and, very importantly, for getting members of the community involved in what they do.
Being involved in community gardening projects is a great way of getting out and keeping active, meeting new people and generally feeling part of your community. It also benefits the community as a whole as neglected sites become cleaner and tidier and add to the amenities of the city, town or village.
Whatever the size of your local area or level of experience of your group, there is a place in one of Beautiful Scotland’s two campaigns for you!
Those groups that are just starting out or are undertaking smaller projects are encouraged to find out more about the non-competitive It's Your Neighbourhood campaign (formerly known as Neighbourhood Awards) as this is an excellent first step within Beautiful Scotland. If your group is attempting to clean up and green up an area with your community then It's Your Neighbourhood could be the ideal way to publicise and gain recognition for the work that you do.
For more experienced or larger groups, the main Beautiful Scotland campaign offers the chance to achieve Chelsea-style medals in recognition of your efforts within your community.
Entrants in the main campaign compete for prestigious trophies within 11 different categories. These are based on electoral roll population size, ranging from Wee Village to City, and there are additional prizes for outstanding effort in specific areas, such as biodiversity, sustainability and tourism.
Volunteer judges visit each entrant community and take note of themes such as seasonal and permanent planting. However the awards are not just for the green-fingered. Sustainability, public participation and issues such as litter and graffiti are all taken into consideration. Many groups take part in the annual National Spring Clean campaign which takes place in April each year. Entrants are also expected to show evidence of a range of activity throughout the seasons.
If you are interested in taking part in this year’s campaign you can register online now and further information will be sent to you to assist you with your entry. In late May you will receive confirmation of the date in late July/ August when you will be visited by two judges. Information on how to make the best of this visit will be contained in your information pack, as mentioned above.
Medals and trophies are presented at the Beautiful Scotland Awards Ceremony that will be held this year on 22nd September in Glenrothes, Fife.
Recent Articles
Beautiful Scotland Parliamentary Reception
A Parliamentary Reception, hosted by Bruce Crawford MSP, took place at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 3rd February to celebrate the Beautiful Scotland campaign.
Hard working groups across Scotland are rewarded
Despite the doom and gloom of the current economic climate, and the adverse weather conditions, 68 community groups from across Scotland were presented with Neighbourhood Awards in recognition of their year-round efforts in creating beautiful, clean and sustainable neighbourhoods.
Coastal towns surf to success in Beautiful Scotland campaign
The coastal town of North Berwick in East Lothian has scooped the top award in the 2009 Beautiful Scotland campaign to discover the cleanest, most sustainable and beautiful community in Scotland.
Beautiful Scotland judging ends
The day of judgement has now passed for the 71 communities across Scotland who entered the prestigious Beautiful Scotland campaign this year.