A PAIR of East Renfrewshire beauty spots have been presented with a prestigious Green Flag Award.

The accolade, administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, acknowledges quality open spaces that help to boost health and wellbeing.

Amongst the 2022 award winners are Rouken Glen Park, in Giffnock, and Whitelee Windfarm, on the Eaglesham moor.

Jamie Ormiston, of Keep Scotland Beautiful, told the Barrhead News: “Receiving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all of the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

“As the only accreditation for park management of its kind in Scotland, we have supported local authority teams, land managers and communities to drive up environmental standards at many of our parks and open spaces for residents and visitors alike.

“Parks and open spaces attract a diverse range of visitors, all of whom look for different facilities and have different expectations. The Green Flag Award – and the collective expertise of managers and communities across Scotland – drives improvements through a framework which supports the management of our environment, our wildlife and the people who visit.

“Scotland’s parks and open spaces attract thousands of visitors every year and I’d encourage everyone to respect, protect and enjoy them this summer.”

Bosses at ScottishPower Renewables, which runs Whitelee Windfarm, have welcomed the award.

Barry Carruthers, managing director for onshore wind (UK & Ireland), said: “Whitelee is a vital part of our transition to a clean energy future.

“The site’s 215 turbines – combined with future projects involving solar, batteries and green hydrogen – will ensure we deliver even more homegrown green electricity across the country and drive our progress towards net-zero.

“However, Whitelee is also a much-loved green space for everyone – from newborn babies in prams to older people who pop along for their daily constitutional.

“We’re really proud to achieve the Green Flag Award for the second year running and maintain our position as the first and only windfarm in the world to achieve this prestigious accolade.

“It’s testament to the hard work which goes into running the UK’s largest onshore windfarm.”