Before I begin I must admit that I am truly biased towards beaches in Scotland. Scotland is my home, I’ve grown up surrounded by beautiful countryside and love exploring my country, particularly the coastal areas. I do love being beside the sea, it’s my happy place and I have spent many happy hours on Scottish beaches, they are every bit as beautiful as those I’ve visited abroad, even if the temperature isn’t quite the same. Most people visit the well known beaches in Scotland, such as the coral beach on the Isle of Skye, Seacliff in East Lothian, Achmelvich bay or St Andrews beach – West Sands, but there are plenty more beautiful and quieter beaches if you just look a little harder.
Over the years I’ve found many little gems, perfect Scottish beaches that may not be known by the masses, so if you are looking for a great beach to visit without the hordes arriving too, check out the best of Scotland’s beaches below.
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13 Beautiful Scottish Beaches
The West coast of Scotland is renowned for its beautiful white sand beaches. However, don’t assume that the east coast is bereft of beautiful beaches. It certainly isn’t! You can find plenty of amazing beaches from the South east coast all the way up into the Highlands.
Camusdarach Beach, Arisaig
The area of Arisaig can get very busy during the summer, but the beaches are still fairly quiet along Camusdarach bay and the smaller beaches of the silver sands of Morar close by. The views are absolutely stunning, crystal clear waters and looming islands of Rum and Eigg in the distance, it’s a great place to spend a day!
Children and adults alike will love paddling in the shallow water and climbing on the rocky outcrops to spot wildlife in the sea. It’s a really easy to find, just head past Arisaig, turning off onto the B8008 and find somewhere to park along the roadside. Or even better stay right by the beach at one of the many campsites along this stretch.
You can also book boat trips to see the marine life from Arisaig, or take a passenger boat to the Small Isles.
Leim Beach, Gigha
Gigha is a small Scottish island that doesn’t have the same level of tourism as other islands. Even those tourists who do visit tend to stay around the village area rather than exploring further around the small island.
At the South of Gigha, along some rough tracks, is Leim beach. A beautiful stretch of white sand beach with rocky outcrops and rock pools to explore, including a great quartz outcrop accessible at low tide. The turquoise waters are clear and perfect for a paddle! And of course you are unlikely to see many other people in the area, although the summer months can be busier.
Twin Beaches, Vatersay
We had a fantastic time exploring the Uist’s and Barra, but the beach on Vatersay at the very South of the chain is a brilliant one for wild waves and a beautiful stretch of beach. It may be quite remote, but you are likely to share the beach with at least one or two other families!
Bring body boards to have fun on the great waves and shallow water! But brace yourself for the cold water!
Langamull Beach, Isle of Mull
The Inner Hebrides island of Mull is well known for its beautiful beaches, such as Calgary Bay in the West. However you’ll find them full of other people in the summer season! Instead, head to Langamull beach, a 20-30 minute walk from a little car park just off the B8073 between Dervaig and Calgary. Follow the well worn track from the car park toward the beach. You’ll be rewarded with a quiet, serene little north coast beach.
There are rocky outcrops and space to spread out with the kids (although it is a small sandy beach). Play on the white sands, catch fish in the shallows and swimming in the sea! Just bring everything with you to the beach as it’s a bit too far to walk back to the car for the picnic!!
Balranald Bay, North Uist
North Uist is a remote but stunning island in the Outer Hebrides island chain. The beach at Balranald is sheltered in a large crescent shape of white sand with dunes behind. The shallow, crystal clear water is stunning and so easy to search for tiny fish or other creatures in.
If you walk a little further on from this hidden gem you get to the RSPB reserve. The reserve is awash with birdlife during the spring and summer. We visited in May and it was an awesome sight! We even managed to spot the elusive Corncrake nearby! A bird I had been stalking for our Uist’s trip, easy to hear, but very hard to spot!!
Eastside Beach, South Ronaldsay
The Orkney islands are a windswept and intriguing place to visit. We loved our trip to the islands and especially enjoyed a little beach on the East of South Ronaldsay by St Peter’s Church.
You can park beside the church and enjoy the sandy stretch of beach with almost no visitors. Of course you can’t guarantee the heat and I would recommend a woolly hat at any time of year!
Traigh Ban Nam Monach, Iona
Head to Fionnphort on Mull and take the (very) short ferry journey across to Iona. Walk along the road past the abbey to the North East of the island. Monks beach (the English translation) is through the gate. Across the grazing land and looking over to the islands of Mull, Ulva and Staffa. Equally beautiful is the golden sand of Traigh an-t-Suidh on the North West of the island. A short walk past the rocky outcrop and you will find you have it mostly to yourself.
Perfect views from the stunning little island and surprisingly good weather during the spring and summer too! It’s certainly one of the most beautiful beaches on this list, with both a turquoise sea and clear blue waters.
Saint Cyrus, Aberdeenshire – Beaches in Scotland
The Sands of St Cyrus is part of St Cyrus National Nature Reserve. A huge sweep of sand with the North Sea crashing against the coast. You can find shelter in the little wooden structures that locals have made. However I would definitely recommend a wind break if you can bring it down over the dunes. Simply to keep the sand out of your picnic!
It’s a stunning stretch of beach and a good stopping place enroute to or from Aberdeen.
Ballantrae Beach, Ayrshire
I spent quite a bit of time wandering up and down Ballantrae beach in my pre-kids days. I was working in the area for a few nights every month. So during the day I liked to sit on the beach and listen to the shingle getting dragged back and forward by the waves. It’s such a lovely calming sound and not one you find on most Scottish beaches! We generally have beautiful stretches of white sands rather than shingle. You can also spot Ailsa Craig out to the North, where curling stones were once hewn.
This is also a great beach to search for sea glass, the stones help round off the edges, so you can find some beautiful pieces just ready for crafting or decoration at home.
To find Ballantrae, follow the A77 South of Girvan or North from Stranraer, it’s just a short drive from Girvan.
St Ninians Isle, Shetland
St Ninians Isle in Shetland joins the isle to the mainland by a spit of sand. A high tide the golden sands can disappear, so check the tides in advance. It’s one of the most stunning beaches on the island and definitely worth a visit and perhaps a dip in the sea.
You may also find the Haar Sauna on the beach, book in advance to guarantee it’s use!
Carrick Bay, Dumfries and Galloway
Although we’ve never visited Carrick Bay, I’ve heard good things about this beach. It’s located West of Kircudbright (pronounced kir-coo-brae) and is a 100m wide stretch of sand. It’s a sheltered bay that’s perfect for swimming and kayaking or paddle boarding.
There is a small parking area and as it’s quite far from any big towns or villages. So it’s generally quiet and a great spot for a picnic in the spring and summer.
Sandwood Bay, Highlands – Beaches in Scotland
A 4.5 mile walk from the closest road takes you to the remote beach of Sandwood Bay in Wester Ross. It’s a wide stretch of beautiful sandy beach, backed by high dunes and guarded by a sea stack. It’s much quieter than other beaches in the area due to its remoteness, you certainly won’t find an ice cream van here! You will still find people visiting for a day trip though! Park in the Blairmore car park, the route is waymarked and looked after by the John Muir trust.
Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris
Although I wouldn’t say that this is a hidden gem, it’s still worth visiting. Luskentyre is an immense stretch of beautiful white sands, with tons of space for everyone to feel like it‘s quiet. Parking can be an issue, but if it’s outwith the summer holidays it should be ok. This beautiful long sandy beach is the perfect place to play all day and is one of Scotland’s best beaches!
Come over the sand dunes and down to the beach with all your picnic essentials. You won’t want to leave!
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Pin 13 of The Best Beaches in Scotland
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) says
Ooh – I really need to check out Carrick Bay. We love Kirkcudbright, and visit often!
Jenny says
I honestly believe that Scotland has some of the best beaches in the world! Love this round up and hope to try a few out on a Scotland road trip we’re planning next year.
Cerys says
Those beaches looks amazing, but not sure that I would be venturing into the waves without a very good wet suit on the water must be cold up there! We’re yet to take the kids hoping that this year we can make it north of the border especially with the dog, any recommendations for the best beaches with dogs?
Ting at MTM says
I’ve always known that Scotland has some of the best beaches – and now I know where I can go! Thank you!
Stephanie Taleghani says
Pinning this post for later! We hope to visit Scotland in the near future and we must check out a few of these great beaches!
Kristin says
I had no idea Scotland had such lovely beaches. Thanks for sharing.