VISITORS to an East Lothian beach where visitors were advised to stay out of its waters have explained why they  ignored the guidance. 

On Saturday, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) urged beach-goers against bathing or paddling at Yellowcraig, near Dirleton, and Broadsands, east of Yellowcraig, as a precaution due to “a high [bacterial] result on a routine sample”.

East Lothian Council’s countryside rangers placed signs at both beaches before the guidance was lifted, for days later, on Wednesday morning.

READ MORE: SEPA lift warning at popular Yellowcraig and Broadsands

On Tuesday, the Courier spoke to a number of people at the beach at Yellowcraig. 

Jenny and Greig, from Elgin in Moray, are snorkelling enthusiasts and were in the water at Yellowcraig. They explained why they had decided to ignore the guidance. 

Jenny said: "It looked a little bit murky but we decided to just risk it. We've been places a lot worse, where there has been a lot of heavy rainfall which could affect the quality of water.

Jenny and Greig, visitors from Elgin thought the water looked a bit 'murky' but decided to go in (Image: NQ Staff)

"We decided to risk it as we don't get a lot of opportunities to go the beach snorkelling. It is sunny and it's nice, so we decided to take the risk on the fact that we don't get to do this a lot." 

Greig said: "I don't think the signs are very clear:  there should be a bigger sign to inform as we hardly looked at them." 

Iain Ellis, from Edinburgh, regularly visits Yellowcraig and was not letting his dog, Harley, into the water because of the warnings. 

Iain Ellis was not letting his dog, Harley, into the water because of the warnings (Image: NQ Staff) 

He said at the time: "I think the advice could be more clear and there should be more signs put in place to prevent people from going in, as I have seen a number of people either ignoring the rules and going in, or not knowing about the current guidance. 

"I wasn't too concerned about the waters because I don't normally go in, but my dog likes to, but I am not letting him off the lead today. I am far more worried about pollution. 

"There has been a lot of warnings at certain beaches in England. I hope it doesn't come as severe as that in Scotland but it is the school holidays and kids and adults just want to go in and enjoy themselves. People have been advised not to go in but they do risk getting a sore tummy, so it is up to them." 

READ MORE: Visitors to Yellowcraig and Broadsands urged to keep out of the water

Kayleigh, a mum of four from Tranent, was not aware of the guidance against bathing.

She said: "There definitely should be more signs in place; this was a last-minute trip to the beach because of the good weather. 

"The kids along with their friends have been in the water for some time now and I am a quite paranoid mum.

"I am now a bit worried they might become ill because we were thinking about going to another beach to have a barbecue. I do feel a bit let down that there isn't a lot of signs." 

East Lothian Council said on Wednesday: "SEPA has confirmed that water quality samples taken yesterday at these locations show no risk to the public. Advice against bathing or paddling has been lifted. Our countryside rangers are removing notices from the sites."