Arran joined in the Great British Beach Clean

September 2021

This year’s beach cleans and data surveys were came after a very busy summer despite some travel restrictions, due to the pandemic, still being in place. TAP took a cautious approach and for the most part data collection was carried out by very small numbers of individuals. With the exceptions of Whiting Bay and Corrie (where members of village organisations were responsible for each stage of the collection and data input), beach cleans were organised and led by members of the TAP steering group, many of whom are also members of community organisations and were able to complete cleans on behalf of and representing other organisations. Pirnmill clean was led by a previous TAP member. We are very grateful to these people for maintaining the continuity of data collection over the last two years.

We all gathered important information about how much plastic is in our seas

Each clean importantly collected information (using a simple tick sheet for 100 yards of beach) about the type and amount of litter which was collected and this provides an important data source to monitor and quantify the extent and nature of the problem of litter (and particularly plastic) on Arran. It also enables us to identify changes in the predominant types of litter on different beaches. Once collated by TAP, it will be available to anyone on Arran. It will also contribute to the data which the Marine Conservation Society provides for the Sottish and UK Governments and which is shared internationally and feeds into policy decisions concerning marine litter.

Read the full report from the Marine Conservation Society.

See what we found on Arran's beaches

2021 - Results of the 2021 Great British Beach Clean on Arran

2020 - Results of the 2020 Great British Beach Clean on Arran

2019 - Results of the 2019 Great British Beach Clean on Arran

2018 - Results of the 2018 Great British Beach Clean on Arran