Best beaches in Highland
Below are a list of the top 12 beaches in Highland as selected by the users of the Beach Guide website.
The current most popular beach in Highland is Achmelvich Bay. If you would like to have your say on which are the best beaches in Highland just follow the link to the beach and vote by clicking the star ratings at the top right of the page.
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1. Achmelvich Bay
Beautiful Achmelvich Beach looks across the bay to the coastal village of Lochinver with the islands of Lewis and Harris just offshore.
This is a beautiful sheltered beach on the rural west coast. A large crescent of white sands with granite outcrops that divide the beach into sections. The Blue Flag awarded beach is edged with…
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2. Sandwood Bay
This wonderful sandy beach is located in the extreme north west of the Scottish mainland. Set at the end of a 4 mile footpath it is something of an adventure to get here, but well worth it. The mile long stretch of fine golden sand is backed by high dunes beyond which lies the freshwater…
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3. Strathy Bay
This remote, wide, sandy beach sits on the very northern Scottish coast. The River Strathy runs into the bay to the west of the beach and it is enclosed by cliffs to the east. Strathy Bay is surrounded on all sides by magnificent, hilly scenery. The bay is also home to many caves around the…
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4. Sango Bay
The sandy beach of Sango Bay is one of the most northerly beaches in mainland Scotland. It consists of a wide stretch of golden sand divided into three smaller coves by a series of rocky outcrops. Scattered along the beach are various rocks, stacks and skerries. The back of the beach varies along its length…
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5. Mellon Udrigle Beach
The stunning beach at Mellon Udrigle offers one of the finest views of this part of the coast. It is a little off the beaten track, but well worth the detour. Just off the A832, a single track road leading out of the village of Laide heads towards the remote settlement of Mellon Udrigle. Visitors…
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6. Gruinard Beach
Gruinard is a stunning, secluded beach with delightful views of the surrounding rugged countryside and across Gruinard Bay to the Coigach Hills and to Gruinard Island. Apart from the magnificent scenery, it is known for its crystal clear waters, rock pools, and fine sands. The area is very popular with walkers, and there are plenty…
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7. Rosemarkie Beach
Located on the scenic peninsula known as the Black Isle this long stretch of sandy beach stretches out into the mouth of the Moray Firth. The beach is backed by woodland and well kept lawns. It is also home to the ever popular Rosemarkie Beach Cafe making this a great spot to relax. At the…
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8. Embo Beach
The vast expanse of clean, golden sands makes Embo Beach a good destination for families and walkers. Finding the access to the beach can be tricky. Park in the car park in the north-east corner of the former fishing village of Embo. Ask a friendly local for directions if necessary. The beach is backed by…
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9. Morar Beach
The string of small beaches on this stretch of Scotland's west coast are famous for their stunning silver sands. Along this 2 miles of coastline, from the village of Portnaluchaig in the south to Morar in the north, there are a number of small, sandy beaches along the rugged coastline, perfect for beach-combing, rockpooling, or…
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10. Red Point Beach (Gairloch)
This beautiful, secluded beach of Red Point lies about 10 miles south-west from Gairloch and is the perfect destination for those seeking to get away from it all.
To find the beach, drive to the beach car park in the settlement of Redpoint at the very end of the B8056. From the car park it's worth…
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11. Big Sand Beach
This sheltered sand and shingle beach is protected from the prevailing winds by Longa Island. Beyond this are the mountains of Skye and Torridon to which there are spectacular views.
The beach is accessed via an extensive network of sand dunes. These offer some additional shelter from the Hebrides wind.
Despite its seemingly remote location there…
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12. Sinclairs Bay - Keiss
About 12 miles south of John O’Groats, just off the A99 is the coastal village of Keiss, with its small, historic harbour and not much else, apart from this stunning, rather desolate beach. Keiss Beach, found at the northern end of Sinclair Bay is wild and full of windswept beauty. At this end of Sinclair…
