Scotland’s west coast is home to spellbinding oceanside scenes with countless coves and beautiful beaches. Fringing the mainland and overlooking the islands of the Hebrides, it offers a mesmeric, salt-kissed realm in which to luxuriate between land and sea. Perfect for those seeking soul-soothing adventures for resetting life balance, its coastal tapestry promises both easy-to-reach and blissfully secluded gems, beckoning for dreamy days by the shore.
For majestic moments by the ocean, uncover miles of captivating coastline and fall in love with some of the best beaches on the West Coast of Scotland…
Achmelvich Bay
Achmelvich Bay near Loch Assynt is one of the most spectacular beaches imaginable. A picture of turquoise sea and white sand backed by verdant grassland and hugged by striped gneiss and speckled dolerite outcrops, it invites for heavenly escapades in every season. To reach this beach, a leisurely road trip followed by a 2-mile drive down Achmelvich Road directs sea-seekers to parking and seasonal facilities. From the car park, a 300-yard stroll leads to the sandy shore, where entrancing panoramas unfurl across glistening oceanscapes. Less than half a mile away, you can also reach neighbouring Vestey’s Beach on foot to the north, while in the other direction, you can visit one of Europe’s smallest castles, Hermit’s Castle, which takes pride of place above Achmelvich Bay.
Clachtoll Beach
A short drive from Alchmelvich, Clachtoll Beach is one of the best beaches on the West Coast of Scotland for glorious wandering. Set below the little village of Clachtoll near Loch Inver, it provides a rejuvenating dose of wild escapism alongside welcoming local facilities, such as a beach store-café and a fish and chip shop. Follow a smooth ribbon of tarmac road before peeling off towards the sea and parking in the Clachtoll’s beach car park. To make the most of the expansive swathes of soft golden sand, time your visit with low tide and savour the picture-perfect setting for shoreside hours.
Camusdarach Beach
Offering pursuers of oceanside serenity an otherworldly invitation to the wild, Camusdarach Beach by Morar is an unmissable delight. Decorated with storybook aesthetics, it features a shore of silvery sand that’s lapped by turquoise water and backed by dunes. Extending beyond the beach, bewitching views reach as far as the craggy silhouettes of the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye, the mystic blue mountain (Blà Bheinn) on the Isle of Rum, and the towering sea cliffs of Eigg. Featured in the film Local Hero with Peter Riegert, Burt Lancaster, and Peter Capaldi, it is adored for its beauty and makes for an idyllic destination throughout the year. Parking can be found above the beach and there’s plenty to capture imaginations and hearts. For further coastal adventures, the route promises a leisurely cruise past a number of beautiful beaches and quiet coves nearby that form part of the Silver Sands of Morar.
Sandwood Bay
Sandwood Bay is one of the most stunning beaches on the West Coast of Scotland for those seeking romantic seclusion and extraordinary adventures. Located in the John Muir Trust’s Sandwood Estate in the country’s most north-westerly realms, it simply steals the breath away with its enchanting scenery and is regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. Tempting walkers, climbers and beach lovers with untouched coastline, its pink-hued shore is lapped by the North Atlantic on one side and hugged by the freshwater Sandwood Loch on the other. At low tide, the sea recedes to expose around a mile of sand, overlooked by the formidable 200ft-high sea stack, Am Buachaille, carved from Torridon sandstone. Only reached via a 4-mile walk along a moorland trail from Blairmore car park, it’s the perfect place for sweet summer days.
Oldmore Beach
Around the headland from Sandwood Bay lies the bonnie Oldmore Beach. Also hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK, it paints a timeless picture with a sweeping arc of sand peppered with bundles of rocky outcrops. Hugging the beach, steep headlands, grassy dunes, and the natural windbreak of Eilean an Roin Mor island often provide shelter from the elements. Make your way along winding roads to reach the car park, before continuing on foot along a path that crosses green fields and descends between dunes. Whether you’re seeking peaceful moments in harmony with the tides with a book and blanket or anticipating unforgettable forays with adventure in mind, Oldmore is sure to enthral. Just around the corner, Polin Beach can be reached on foot along a coastal path or by kayak on the water.
Mellon Udrigle Beach
Mellon Udrigle Beach in Gruinard Bay, Wester Ross, is a dream destination. Found in a beautifully remote pocket of Scotland yet benefitting from a car park just 100 yards above the beach, it beckons with some of the most spectacular scenery for oceanside sojourns. To arrive at the beach, follow the coastal road north-west from the village of Laid for 3 miles. Upon arrival, the undulating dunes and mountain views of Mellon Udrigle vie for attention, while the sugary white-sand beach awaits for strolls along the water’s edge. In summer, this dog-friendly beach is particularly beguiling for picnics and panoramas under the sun. Meanwhile, in winter, its snow-coated mountain backdrop and glassy waves make for a photographer’s paradise.
Gruinard Beach
Residing along the coast from Mellon Udrigle Beach, Gruinard Beach is amongst the best beaches on the West Coast of Scotland for its breathtaking beauty. Nestling between towering mountains and blanketed with honey-toned sands, this majestic beach is graced with fairytale allure. Enabling smooth access, a car park is located above the beach, with just a short walk across the road to reach the shore. Step onto the beach and tread footsteps into the soft, salmon-tinted sand, painted blush tones from the region’s Torridon rocks. Making the beach all the more charming are glimpses of the fabled An Teallach mountain and sweeping vistas across Gruinard Bay and Gruinard Island.
Gairloch Beach
A short drive from Achnasheen, Gairloch Beach resides on the edge of the village of Gairloch in Wester Ross. Nestled amongst captivating moorland and mountainous scenery, it evokes wonder in all those who visit. For those seeking leisurely immersion in nature, Gairloch Beach is an idyllic spot in which to relax, with a spacious shore carpeted in fine sand and proximity to local amenities. Meanwhile, situated so close to Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, this beach is also a great pitstop for those in pursuit of more challenging adventures, with nearby mountain peaks calling to experienced hikers and climbers. The perfect option for those looking for guided exploration on land and sea, adventure outfitters Climb Ride Explore and Hebridean Whale Cruises operate nearby.
Sanna Bay
Scotland’s west coast sets the scene for some of the most spellbinding sunsets in the world. With its uninterrupted aspect on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, mainland UK’s most westerly point, the sheltered Sanna Bay is especially perfect for golden hour moments. Arrive in good time to make the most of the incredible mountainscapes hemmed with white-shell sand and crystal-clear sea, savouring the sense of wild tranquillity. To add intrigue, you can visit the neighbouring villages of Kilchoan and Portuairk, as well as the Ardnamurchan Distillery and famous Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, en route. Later, as the sun begins to set, wrap up in thick Scottish wool blankets with a mug in hand and watch the sun sink towards the horizon in one of the most heavenly places on earth.
Applecross Bay
A stone’s throw from the beautiful Kishorn, Applecross Bay is home to one of the best beaches on the west coast and a firm favourite with visitors of all ages. Coated with red sand, this vast bay is fringed by verdant scenery and leafy trees that create a striking contrast to the shore. On the beach, flowing waterways from the River Applecross and the artistry of the tides carve the sand with stunning tiger stripes and patterns that add to the unrivalled beauty. In the summer, the gently sloping shoreline becomes a beloved place for beach bathers and paddlers to enjoy the refreshing water. For paddleboarders and kayakers, the coastline also provides a treasure trove of natural wonders, ideal for exploring on clement days. Just behind the beach, Applecross Walled Garden is a delight and open on select days, as are a collection of eateries in the village.
Achnahaird Beach
A quintessential west coast beach, Achnahaird Beach features a crescent of creamy coloured sand and a shawl of sapphire sea. Shouldered by tidal salt marsh, wildflower strewn dunes, and lowland machair, its dynamic landscapes encompass an array of habitats. The beach also lies close to Inverpolly Nature Reserve, home to a wide range of flora and fauna, from rare petalwort to lapwings on the coast to wild cats and pine martens between the trees. To uncover the wonder of the bay, follow quiet coastal roads before taking the single track down to Achnahaird Beach car park. From here, a short stroll steers footsteps towards the beach itself. Press bare feet into the sand and sea or take a pew on a granite boulder to watch the activity of the tide in one direction and admire the regal frames of Stac Pollaidh and the Assynt mountains in the other.
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