Portobello beach in Edinburgh is among 11 places rated "poor" in the latest survey of bathing waters in Scotland.

The number of areas that fall below EU standards has dropped compared to last year, however.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) rated 26 beaches "excellent" - up from 17 the previous season - and another 36 "good".

It rated 11 "sufficient" and another 11 "poor", down from 17 last year.

Calum McPhail from Sepa's environmental quality unit said: "It is good to see that there has been a reduction in the number of bathing waters classified as poor, and a general improvement across the other classifications.

"While this is great progress, we understand that some local communities will be disappointed, as we are, that there are 11 bathing waters which have been rated as having a 'poor' EU classification.

"It is important to remember that a 'poor' classification does not necessarily mean that water quality is continually poor."

He added: "These are still fantastic beaches to visit and we are working with the Scottish Government and our key partner organisations to help all of Scotland's bathing waters to avoid 'poor' classifications."