Scotland’s Dreamy Beaches
Traigh Beach
Traigh Beach, near Arisaig on Scotland’s west coast, is a hidden gem of silver sands, turquoise waters, and breathtaking views of the Small Isles.
“Traigh” is Gaelic for beach or shore, and it’s perfectly fitting — this area is home to some of the most beautiful stretches of sand in Scotland.
Just steps from the beach is Traigh Golf Course, Scotland’s most westerly golf course. You can play 9 holes while enjoying epic views of the sea and islands.
Like Camusdarach just nearby, Traigh has been used as a backdrop in various TV shows and films — it’s the kind of place directors dream of when capturing the magic of the west coast.
With its calm, shallow tides and peaceful atmosphere, it’s perfect for a quiet walk, beach picnic, or simply soaking in the raw coastal beauty of the Highlands. A truly magical spot, especially at sunset.
Hushinish Beach
Hushinish Beach, tucked away on the Isle of Harris, is a remote and breathtaking haven of white sands and crystal-clear Atlantic waters.
Reaching Hushinish is an adventure in itself — the single-track road winds for miles through wild, rugged landscapes, including the dramatic hills of North Harris. It feels like you’re arriving at the edge of the world.
Just offshore lies Scarp, a now-uninhabited island that once made headlines when a rocket mail experiment tried (and failed) to deliver post by rocket in the 1930s!
The crystal-clear Atlantic waters here are popular with cold-water swimmers and hardy adventurers — though wetsuits are highly recommended!
Despite its remote location, Hushinish is a great spot for seeing seals, otters, and even golden eagles overhead. Keep your camera ready.
From the shore, you can enjoy sweeping views of Taransay (famous from BBC’s Castaway 2000) and the endless Atlantic beyond — a perfect place to breathe deep and soak it all in.
Clachtoll Beach
Clachtoll Beach, in the far north of the Scottish Highlands, is a little slice of paradise with soft white sand, clear turquoise waters, and dramatic rocky backdrops.
Just above the beach sits the Clachtoll Broch, an Iron Age stone tower over 2,000 years old. It’s one of the best-preserved examples of prehistoric life in the Highlands.
The name “Clachtoll” comes from Gaelic — clach meaning stone and toll meaning hole — referring to the dramatic split rock formation nearby, shaped by ancient volcanic activity.
Believe it or not, Clachtoll lies on rocks that were once part of the Earth’s tropical belt. Around 1.2 billion years ago, this region was near the equator!
From the beach or surrounding cliffs, you might see otters, seals, dolphins, and even the occasional sea eagle soaring overhead.
The area is part of the Northwest Highlands Geopark, and the rocks around Clachtoll tell a story of shifting continents, ancient oceans, and dramatic earth movements.
Camusdarach beach
Camusdarach Beach, just south of Mallaig, is one of Scotland’s most breathtaking coastal spots — a stretch of white sand and clear blue sea with stunning views out to the Isles of Eigg and Rum.
Camusdarach was featured in the cult classic film Local Hero (1983). The beach scenes in the movie were filmed right here, adding to its cinematic charm.
Camusdarach is actually made up of several smaller beaches and coves, separated by rocky outcrops and dunes, making it fun to explore on foot.
Thanks to minimal light pollution, it’s an amazing spot for stargazing. On a clear night, the Milky Way is often visible — and if you’re lucky, even the Northern Lights.
It’s one of the most iconic stretches in the Silver Sands of Morar, known for their Caribbean-like appearance — but with Highland soul.
Northton beach
Northton boasts a series of four pristine beaches, each offering unique landscapes and serene spots for relaxation and exploration.
The area features the rare machair habitat—a fertile, low-lying grassy plain formed by wind-blown shell sand. This ecosystem supports a vibrant array of wildflowers in late spring and early summer, attracting diverse birdlife.
A short walk from the village leads to the ruins of a 16th-century chapel, built by Alasdair Crotach, Chief of the MacLeods. The chapel sits atop the remnants of an Iron Age dun, indicating the site’s long-standing spiritual importance.
Towering over Northton, Ceapabhal offers hikers panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Sound of Harris and nearby islands.
Oldshoremore beach
Oldshoremore Beach, locally known as Am Meallan, is a hidden gem nestled near Kinlochbervie in Sutherland, part of the Scottish Highlands.
The beach’s white sands are a result of eroded sandstone and seashells, giving it a unique texture and appearance.
A rocky peninsula, Eilean na h-Aiteig, separates Oldshoremore from its neighboring Polin Beach, offering picturesque vistas and opportunities for exploration.
The beach is part of the Sandwood Estate, a nature reserve managed by the John Muir Trust, emphasizing conservation and natural preservation.
For hiking enthusiasts, the 5.1-mile loop trail around Oldshoremore Bay offers moderately challenging terrain with rewarding coastal views.
A small parking area is available near the beach, with a narrow footpath leading along the rocky coastline to the sands.
The area remains largely untouched, so visitors are advised to come prepared, as there are limited facilities nearby.
Luskentyre beach
Luskentyre Beach (Scottish Gaelic: Losgaintir) is a breathtaking coastal gem located on the west coast of South Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Renowned for its expansive white sands and vibrant turquoise waters, it’s often hailed as one of the UK’s most beautiful beaches.
Stretching over a mile, Luskentyre’s silvery-white sands are composed of shell-rich materials, giving the beach its distinctive hue.
Behind the beach lie sand dunes rising over 35 meters above sea level, leading into areas of machair—a fertile grassland unique to the northwest coasts of Scotland and Ireland, which bursts into color with wildflowers during the summer months.
Luskentyre is not only a visual marvel but also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. The area supports a variety of bird species, including:
• Common and velvet scoters
• Eider ducks
• Wigeons
• Long-tailed ducks
• Red-breasted mergansers
• Great northern divers
• Slavonian grebes
The diverse habitats—from intertidal sandflats to machair and moorland—support this rich avian biodiversity.
