Scotland's beaches are shrouded in mist or bathed in the soft light of a long summer's evening.
There are inlets, islands, rugged cliffs, sheltered coves and expansive stretches of sand along the country's 12,000 mile coastline. The best beaches include the soft white sands of Orkney and the turquoise waters of the northwest coast. Scotland's beautiful beaches offer a wide range of adventures and natural wonders.
Which is the best beach in Scotland? What do you think about it, read on.
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There is a 2 mile sweep of golden sand between the mouths of the rivers Dee and Don. When the waves are right, dedicated local surfers ride the breaks at the south end of the sand. Codona's, an old-fashioned amusement park, is one of the traditional seaside attractions on the Esplanade.
Inverie can only be reached by ferry from Mallaig or by foot. The Long Beach campsite is one of Scotland's most beautiful and atmospheric places to pitch a tent. There is wood for campfires and a view of the Isle of Rum. The Old Forge is a community-owned pub that is well known for its ceilidhs and local beer.
Sandwood Bay is one of Scotland's best and most isolated beaches and is guarded at one end by Am Buachaille. A 9-mile round-trip hike from the Blairmore parking area ends at an expanse of pink-hued sand that meets the North Atlantic ocean. If you have packed a picnic, the northern end of the beach is a good place to go.
Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on the British mainland. The Pentland Firth is home to majestic cliffs that drop into it. The lighthouse built by Robert Louis Stevenson's grandfather is visible below. Dunnet Bay is a great beach in Scotland. This beach is one of the reasons to visit this stretch of coast alone.
In Edinburgh's suburbs, there are several attractive beaches. Portobello Beach has a kayaking and sailing club as well as a popular sandy beach. The local swimmers swim here year-round. People can borrow beach wheelchairs for free.
The stretch of coast between the tiny villages of Arisaig and Morar in the West Highlands is full of rocky grassland islets, inlets and gorgeous silver-sand beaches backed by dunes and machair. There are many campsites scattered along the coast that fill up in July and August. The movie Local Hero was filmed at the Camusdarach Beach just south of Morar. If you like your water cold, this is the place for you.
The island of Colonsay is accessible by ferry. When the waves are good, Kiloran Bay is a popular place to surf. The strand of dark golden sand is a great place to watch the sunset.
Even if you don't want to play golf, you can still visit the home of the game of golf. The setting for an epic running race in the movie "Chariots of Fire" is the 2-mile long West Sands beach. Dogs are allowed on your run.
Loch Morlich is a freshwater lake surrounded by mountains and trees and has a water sports center and beach. The most picturesque way to get here is via the old logging from the Rothiemurchus Estate.
One of the prettiest beaches in Scotland is located on the west coast of Harris. The beach is famous for its blinding-white sands and cat-eye-green waters at low tide, but it is often deserted. The island of Taransay can be seen from the beach.
The coastline north of Berwick-UPON-Tweed is a great place to visit if you love the outdoors. You can find some of Scotland's best diving and snorkeling spots here. Coldingham Bay is a secluded beach with a clifftop walking trail to Eyemouth. You can hire surfboards, sea kayaks, and snorkeling gear at the surf shop.
The most northerly part of the Firth of Forth lies at the southwestern end of the East Neuk. There are beaches, golf courses and coastal walks here. The Elie chain walk is an adventurous scramble along the rocky shoreline at Kincraig Point, west of Earlsferry, using chains and steel rungs. There is nothing better than sitting on the beach and watching the local cricket team play on the sand.
The article was published on May 14, 2021.
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