'Beautiful' town wins top award

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North Berwick has won the top award in the annual Beautiful Scotland campaign to find the cleanest, most sustainable and beautiful community in the country.

It is the second time the East Lothian town has taken the Rosebowl Trophy, having also won in 2007.

The winners of various categories were announced at an awards event in Aberdeen on Monday.

Scottish Government Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead presented a Homecoming Award to Cupar, Fife.

Mr Lochhead said: "The Beautiful Scotland awards showcase and recognise the hard work of communities throughout Scotland.

"We should be proud of our communities, urban or rural, and do our utmost to keep them attractive, safe places to live and visit."

He added: "In this, the year of Homecoming, our villages, towns and cities are helping cement Scotland's global reputation."

Rothesay on Bute received the Rosebowl Reserve Trophy, while Perth & Kinross villages of Comrie and Muthill took the Best Village and runner-up awards.

In total 71 communities across Scotland entered the campaign and were visited by assessors during a national judging tour in August.

The judges assessed the towns under the headings of horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.