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Best Beaches in Scotland

Our selection of our favourite beaches in Scotland. Your image of Scotland maybe glens and mountains with the occassional castle or highland cooo. But Scotland is fringed any number of magnificent beaches which may not be bikini hot but they make up for it with stunning views, white sands and an emptiness which makes the heart soar. (We have a list of self catering style cottages on beaches here)

Here are our favourites top beaches in Scotland


Camusdarach Beach

Lovely white sanded beach between Morar and Arisaig with wonderful views across the sound to Skye. Beach in the film Local Hero.

Clachtoll Beach

Small sandy beach with headland protecting from the waves that faces west. There is a ranger hut and also some toilet facilities. Great for family paddling and sand castle building.

Farr Beach, Bettyhill

Magnificent beach to West of Bettyhill with long sandy stretch. Super clean. Not so easy to access unless you know how!

Oldshoremore Beach

Not quite as startling as Sandwood but still a beautiful protected bay facing SW with pure white sands. Quiet and peaceful.

Saltcoats Beach

Sandy beach between Ardrossan and Saltcoats in North Ayrshire with shallow water that is perfect for swimming and paddling as it is shallow for 100s of metres!

Sangobeg Beach

There are two sango beaches near Durness; our favourite is Sangobeg to the East. Quiet and small sandy bay.

Scarista Beach

This is less well-known than Luskentyre up the coast but just spectacular with fewer people visiting

Shandwick Beach

Shandwick Bay is located within the seaboard villages of Shandwick and Balintore. The extensive sandy beach has dunes behind it and rocky areas to the North and the South. There is a charming harbour in Balintore to the North.

Smercleit Beach, South Uist

If you get as far as the Uists and the weather is fine then get to the south western coast to enjoy the long, usually empty sandy beached. Awesome sunsets!

Ceannabeinne Beach Durness

Another beautiful Northern beach to the east of Durness but with a sad story associated with it. Short walk from A838. Easily accessible.

Coldbackie Beach

Lovely strip of Sand on Kyle of Tongue that is well protected from the sea by the surrounding capes. Just off A836 and safe to swim. Very quiet!

Eoropie Beach

Lovely white sandy beach on North West coast of Isle of Lewis. Popular for surfing when the waves are up

Luskentyre Beach

Top 10 UK Beach and at the end of a lovely drive to the far south of Harris. Well worth it in any weather!

Saligo Beach on Islay

Many people's favourite beach on Islay and often dramatic seas which make wonderful in any weather. Walk across dunes to access

Sanna Beach

Stunning sandy beaches at the tip of the wild Ardnamurchan Peninsula. It's a hike but you get your reward!

Seacliff Beach

Private owned beach to east of Dunbar up coast from Tantallon. Half mile beach with tiny harbour, two castles and old house to explore.