But where one stretch of Bute's shoreline is concerned, that very move is being seen as a welcome development in the rebirth of what has long been one of the island's most important bathing spots.

The beach in question is located at Children's Corner on the Rothesay seafront — a beach that has been much in the news in recent weeks.

At the beginning of this month we published a photograph of Beachwatch Bute's efforts to remove seaweed at Children's Corner which had become contaminated with litter and dog mess, after complaints were made to Bute Community Council.

But the removal of the rotten, stinking seaweed isn't the end of the story. Because this week, thanks to the efforts of Beachwatch Bute and several public-spirited locals, the Children's Corner beach received almost 40 tons of local sand — enhancing its appearance and its popularity even more.

Beachwatch Bute ranger Sandra MacMillan, who helped organise the sand delivery, told us: "We were delighted with the improvement to the beach after the polluted seaweed was taken away, but through a chance conversation I was asked how I'd like to make it even better.

"I thought it would be great to have some sand down there, and so Stewart Strathie at Ambrisbeg Quarry got involved, and so did George Hanson Building Contractors and Joe McCabe from Argyll and Bute Council.

"So we went down and cleared any remaining marine litter so that the new sand would go on top of a clean beach, and the next morning the council's environmental task force and the local community service team helped us put it down.

"Stewart gave us the sand, and George was kind enough to give us the man and the machine to do the work — and the man, Iain Gillies, got the sand down on to the beach in no time.

"It just shows what can be done when local agencies and businesses get together with a bit of community spirit. There were no glory hunters, we just went down there and got the job done."

Local councillor and Argyll and Bute environment spokesman Robert Macintyre, while welcoming the Children's Corner clean-up, said there was a need for further action to ensure the beach stays free of litter - and from dog fouling in particular.

"It is most gratifying to see much needed action with regard to the beach at Children's Corner," he said.

"However, the improvement must be maintained. What is really needed is a sign prohibiting dog owners from allowing their pets access to the beach.

"I looked at it less than three weeks ago and it was most disappointing to see heaps of dog excreta still littering the shore.

"I have had two pieces of advice from council officials about a 'No Dogs Allowed On Shore' sign; one was that it would need a bye-law, which could take at least 18 months to implement, but the other was that hopefully, if this is the case, the council could implement management rules for that area.

"I am awaiting advice on this."