My Favorite 11 Beautiful and Unexpected Beaches in Scotland
When it comes to beaches in Europe, I’m betting that beaches in Scotland are not something that immediately pops into your head.
But there are some beautiful beaches in Scotland.
And yes, some of them appear in unexpected places.
Now, I have yet to visit the Orkney Islands or the Shetland Islands which I know have some amazing beaches.
So this list is a list of my favorite beaches in Scotland that I have personally visited.
This list will grow and change as I see more of Scotland.
However, this is a good place for you to get started if visiting a beach or 2 is on your itinerary for Scotland.
Let’s start digging our toes into the sand!
Luskentyre, Isle of Harris
This stunning beach in Scotland has been on my list to visit for several years.
And in 2023 I took the ferry from the mainland to the Isle of Lewis & Harris then drove from Stornoway on Lewis to Luskentyre on Harris.
Jaw-dropping gorgeous!
I found a room right by the beach and was able to walk on the beach whenever I wanted.
Luskentyre is mesmerizing with its white-golden sand and turquoise waters.
A must for beach lovers!
Nisabost Beach, Isle of Harris
Another amazing beach on the Isle of Harris is Nisabost Beach.
Located just a little bit south of Luskentyre, it’s much smaller but just lovely.
I stopped here and took a walk on the golden sand.
It was quite windy, but the sun was out.
And yes, more amazing turquoise water.
West Sands, St Andrews
Cue up the Chariots of Fire soundtrack.
This magnificent beach features in this classic movie.
But to the locals, West Sands is simply where they take their daily walks, walk their dog or maybe do some surfing.
I’m a huge fan of this beach near the St Andrews golf courses.
You walk out away from the town and get views toward the northern reaches of Fife.
As you turn around, the lovely town of St Andrews draws you back.
I just love this beach in Scotland!
Calgary Beach, Isle of Mull
This is definitely one of the more popular beaches in Scotland due to the proximity of parking and the fact that it’s in a sheltered area for swimming.
But I think Calgary Beach is worth some time.
It is a nice wide beach with lots of places to put down a towel, soak up the sun and watch the kids play in the water.
There is also a nice wee beach shack to get some ice cream.
Yum!
Port na Ba, Isle of Mull
Another beautiful beach on the Isle of Mull is Port na Ba.
It’s one of those hidden beaches in Scotland that doesn’t pop up in guidebooks.
But the locals will know about it.
Unlike Calgary, you have to walk about a mile to this sheltered beach.
There isn’t a lot of parking along the road but there are a few spots.
What I’d say is that this little beach is so worth it.
Worth the walk and worth getting there early, especially on nice summer days.
It’s not going to be as crowded as Calgary, but that’s what makes Port na Ba so special.
Camusdarach, Morar
The drive from Fort William to Mallaig, known as the Road to the Isles, is filled with spectacular scenery.
This includes some beaches.
You’ll find the Silver Sands of Morar right along the River Morar.
But head west to the coast and you’ll find more amazing beaches.
And one of these beaches is Camusdarach.
It’s south of the river and is well marked.
Park and walk through the sand and out onto this amazing beach.
My buddy, Andy — from the West Highland Way — took me here in 2021.
And even though we had less than ideal weather, it was awesome.
You can walk over some rocks from one sandy stretch to another.
The color of the water is stunning.
And you get views to Eigg and Rum and up to Skye.
I just love this beach in Scotland!
Coral Beach, Isle of Skye
This was one of my first beaches in Scotland so it sticks with me much like Silver Sand in Ireland.
Coral Beach is actually made of fossilized and sun-bleached algae which makes the beach very white.
It’s not soft sand but the fun of this beach is all the interesting shapes of the fossilized and sun-bleached algae.
And the color of the water is that Caribbean turquoise-y that makes you just *sigh*.
Coral Beach is definitely one of the coolest beaches in Scotland.
Big Sand, Gairloch
I am embarrassed to admit that the first time I came to Big Sand — I was staying at Solas B&B in the Big Sand community near Gairloch — I didn’t actually walk on this beach.
It seems that the times I looked over from the B&B it was high tide — and the beach kind of goes away at high tide.
But on my second and most recent trip I told myself I needed to go walk on the beach.
And the verdict is that this is a lovely beach.
It’s a beautiful stretch of sand with amazing views to the Torridon Hills to the south and, on a clear day, you can see over to the Isle of Skye.
I’m officially a fan of Big Sand!
Gruinard, North Highlands
This was probably my true first beach in Scotland.
Gruinard Bay and Beach is just a short drive north from Gairloch.
So in 2017 as I took a wee day trip from Big Sand and Solas B&B, I stopped at this beach.
Gruinard is located in a sheltered bay.
There is parking just across the street (paid).
Be careful crossing the road!
The color of the water is captivating.
And while the beach is pleasant enough, I think it is really more about the spectacular landscape that surrounds you.
This is the North Highlands which is some of the most magnificent scenery in all of Scotland.
Beaches of Isle of Iona
I have a recent blog post on the Isle of Iona.
And I gushed about the 2 beaches I visited while on a day trip here.
I understand the other couple of beaches I didn’t get to, are just as beautiful.
So I just decided to say “any beach on Iona” is a good beach to visit.
I have to admit that the 2 beaches I walked on — Traigh an t-Suidhe and White Strand of the Monk — are gorgeous.
Iona has some of the most amazing beaches in Scotland.
Just another reason to visit!
East Beach, Nairn
On my most recent visit to Scotland I spent a couple of nights in Nairn which is just east of Inverness.
It’s a nice little town right on the water.
This means that there are 2 beaches — West Beach and East Beach.
I thought West Beach was pretty nice.
Then I walked on East Beach — and I fell in love!
This beach in Scotland is one that goes on for a while.
Kind of like West Sands in St Andrews and Luskentyre on Harris.
It was a joy to just walk and walk with the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.
I can’t wait to return to Nairn!
So there are my 11 favorite beaches in Scotland
Each one is different and makes my list for varying reasons.
There’s no doubt that a couple of these beaches in Scotland are super stars – Luskentyre and West Sands come to mind.
But there are those that are truly hidden like Port na Ba.
And others that are “hidden in plain sight” such as East Beach in Nairn.
So as you travel to Scotland and visit all those castles and see all those hills and mountains, don’t forget to sink your toes into the sand of a fabulous Scottish beach.
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