Beautiful British beach named as the UK's answer to the Maldives
With turquoise seas and soft white sand, Luskentyre beach on the Isle of Harris has been dubbed the UK's answer to the Maldives, and it's not hard to see why
There's nothing quite like a beach day, even here in Britain, where sunshine isn't always guaranteed. But if you're craving that clear blue water and soft sand feel, one Scottish beach is drawing comparisons to the world's most luxurious coastlines.
Luskentyre Beach, on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, has become a must-visit for lovers of natural beauty. It's the largest beach on the island and regularly makes 'best of' lists thanks to its peaceful charm and breathtaking views.
It was recently crowned the UK's number one beach in TripAdvisor's 2024 Travellers' Choice Awards. With a near-perfect 4.9-star rating from over 1,100 reviews, it's clear that this spot has left a serious impression on visitors.
One traveller wrote: "Words do not do this beach justice! If it was 80 degrees and sunny, I'd swear I was in the Maldives." Another said: "Luskentyre Bay is a little slice of heaven on the coast of the Isle of Harris, honestly worth every mile of the journey." These aren't one-off reviews; praise for Luskentyre is as consistent as the tides.
Even on wild weather days, the magic remains. One reviewer shared: "There were gale-force winds and pouring rain when we visited, and it was still the most beautiful beach I've ever seen."
Part of Luskentyre's appeal is how untouched and vast it feels. The sweeping sands stretch for miles, backed by rolling dunes and surrounded by crystal-clear waters that shift colour with the light.
On sunny days, the beach glows in soft blues and greens, drawing even more comparisons to tropical escapes. When the tide is out, the bay reveals endless tidal flats and mirror-like reflections.
According to Hidden Scotland, late spring and summer are the best times to visit, thanks to long daylight hours and stunning sunsets. They recommend staying for a few days to soak in the calm and explore the wider island.
Nearby, the Seallam Visitor Centre offers insight into the local history and Hebridean culture. And if you fancy a bite to eat, the Waterside Cafe serves fresh baking and hearty meals using locally sourced ingredients.
Travellers often describe their visit to Luskentyre as transformative, a place where time slows and nature does the talking. Whether you're looking to disconnect or just walk barefoot along the sand, it delivers.
It may be remote, and the weather might be unpredictable, but Luskentyre Beach is living proof that you don't need to board a plane to find paradise. Sometimes, the best places are just at the edge of the map.
So, if you're planning your next UK getaway, this picture-perfect spot could be just what you need. Scotland's best-kept beach secret might not stay secret for long.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Victorian seaside town home to MASSIVE abandoned lido is being brought back to life in £6.8million makeover
The picture postcard town boasts its own sunny micro-climate SANDS GOOD Victorian seaside town home to MASSIVE abandoned lido is being brought back to life in £6.8million makeover Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PICTURESQUE seaside town plans to give its promenade and abandoned lido a £6.8 million revamp. Victorian town Grange-over-sands has managed to keep much of its charm and elegance, despite many coastal resorts in the UK falling in to disrepair. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Grange-over-Sands' lido has been closed since 1993 Credit: Alamy 5 The lido has fallen into disrepair Credit: The Times 5 The charming seaside town doesn't technically have a beach Credit: Alamy The popular resort, located near the Lake District in Cumbria, is packed with quaint cafes and a bustling promenade. Grange-over-sands doesn't technically have a beach, as it is a salt marsh, but in times gone by this was not an issue as holidaymakers headed to the town's lido to soak up the sun. However, despite the holiday resort having its own micro-climate its popular lido was closed back in 1993, and fell into disrepair. Since its closure, the Grade II listed building has become filled with stagnant water, with weeds growing uncontrollably around the poolside. A local charity group called Save Grange Lido has now been formed, with locals desperate to get the attraction back up and running. "Grange Baths became a focal point for the community with bathers coming from far and wide by train on the Furness Line – a part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway," the group said. "The pool hosted many events over the years including beauty contests, competitive galas and synchronised swimming. "It was the place to be seen on a summer's day." Back in 2023, work began on restoring the lido to its former glory, as well as giving the 2.4 mile long promenade a facelift. Almost £5 million has been allocated to transforming the pool, which will be given a temporary infill so that it can be used as a 'multi-use' public space. I left iconic UK seaside town to live on tiny Scottish island with just 60 people However, the lido's return is currently dependent on the council being satisfied by the business case, amongst other criteria. The rest of the money is being used to transform the promenade. "Work on the 1,900m-long promenade will include the removal of unstable sections of the sea defence wall; the application of a durable coating to the upper surface of the promenade; and, a combination of pre-cast and in situ concrete repairs to the upper edge 'bull nose' and sea-facing elevation of the sea wall," Westmorland and Furness Council said. "The work also includes connectivity works to link the promenade to the town; public realm furniture; signage; improvements to railings; and a new child's playground area." 5 In February 2023, the council said that the refurbishment would take 14 months to complete, however it has been hit by a number of delays, including problems with concrete. Last month, the council announced that it is "unlikely" the project will be finished this summer, and revealed that a new opening date will be announced this week. "While it is frustrating that the construction phase must be extended due to further assessment of the repairs required to complete the project, it highlights the complexity of working with historic assets of this nature," Councillor Jonathon Brook said. "It is important that we get this right, understanding that the lido project seeks to restore this important structure after more than 30 years of closure and several previous attempts to bring it back to life." But for those desperate to visit the idyllic town before the lido is completely, there are plenty of other attractions nearby, such as a visit to Holker Hall and Garden - an award-winning stately home with beautiful gardens, woodland walks and a deer park. Cartmel Village is known for its famous sticky toffee pudding and it's also a short drive away from Grange-over-Sands. Other neighbouring attractions include The Lakeland Motor Museum, Yewbarrow House Garden and Sizergh Castle and Garden.
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Highland railway line to close for 3 weeks as £11.5m work to begin
The Far North Line, which dates to the 19th century, is the UK's northernmost railway and is seen as a vital transport link for communities across the Highlands. A five-mile stretch between Brora and Helmsdale, and nearly nine miles of track between Invergordon and Fearn, will be closed from Sunday to allow repair work to be undertaken. Network Rail, which is carrying out the work, said that with some track components approaching 100 years old, it is essential that some upgrades are made to maintain the lines' safety and performance for the future. READ MORE: Plans approved to demolish Scottish town's old police station Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said he is grateful to passengers for their patience and understanding while the line is closed. He said: 'The Far North Line plays a crucial role in connecting remote communities, as well as welcoming visitors to one of Scotland's most scenic regions. 'While closing the line is never ideal, this concentrated period of work allows us to deliver the vital upgrades efficiently and avoid prolonged disruption over a longer timeframe. 'I'm grateful to passengers for their patience and understanding, and we look forward to reopening the line with improvements that will benefit everyone who travels on it.' To allow engineers to carry out the work safely and efficiently, the line will be closed between Sunday, June 8, and Monday, June 30, with changes to train services during this period. Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said there will be a rail replacement plan in operation, with buses and limited train services running where possible. He said: 'We understand that this work will mean some temporary disruption to journeys, however, it's a vital investment in the long-term future of the route. 'To keep customers moving throughout the works, we'll have a rail replacement plan in operation, with buses and a limited train service running where possible. 'We thank our customers for their patience, and look forward to welcoming them back on the line when the works complete.'
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Plenty of Scottish heroics in May, both home and abroad
Welcome to our new free newsletter celebrating all that is going well in Scotland! Subscribe using the banner above. I THINK we could all learn a thing or two from Hiroshi Suzuki. The Japanese ambassador to the UK visited Scotland in May, including official meetings with the First Minister and the Presiding Office. But he also took to some tourist hotspots in Edinburgh, and partook in some Scottish delicacies, joking at one point that he had eaten some Tunnock's teacakes "for breakfast". In a video posted on social media, he could also be seen trying Haggis and a dram of whisky, which he said he "enjoyed". "It's fantastic!" he added, with a thumbs up to the camera. It's Suzuki's boundless optimism that has made him a viral social media star. And perhaps we can all take a leaf out of that book. And so, on that note, our positive stories in Scotland in May. First up, I always love to see Scots thriving abroad. And last month, you can look no further than footballer Scott McTominay (below). The Scotland international is a literal hero in Naples after his instrumental role in helping Napoli FC to their fourth ever Serie A title. Crowned as the whole league's player of the season, the streets of Naples were literally draped in saltires and graffiti of the man they now call 'McFratm' – or McBro. He even met the pope (above)! On the more cultural side, a Scottish director's film set during the Highland Clearances has also made waves at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Ian Gordon, from Fife, travelled to the internationally renowned film festival in France to promote his fantasy adventure movie, The Gudeman, where he learnt to build animatronic 'creatures' from scratch. And people working in the film industry from around the world were blown away at the festival by the dramatic scenery of the Highlands, which provides the backdrop for his adventure. As they should! I was also pleased to hear Edinburgh is now home to Europe's first museum of contemporary Palestinian art. The Palestine Museum in Scotland features work from a range of Palestinian artists showcasing paintings, sculptures and installations. The museum aims to counteract the 'dehumanisation' of the Palestinian people by illustrating their culture and narrative through art. I mentioned it will be opening in my last newsletter but it is now open for business. I am yet to visit but my colleague, Laura, said it was deeply moving. In business news, the UK's only female-founded wave energy company has secured more than half a million in funding to scale up its technology. Aberdeen-based ZOEX secured £531,000 in funding including investment from Equity Gap, one of Scotland's leading angel investment syndicates, Strathclyde University and Scottish Enterprise. Founded by entrepreneur, CEO Ash Penley (above), ZOEX aims to replace diesel generators with "clean, cost-effective wave power". While I understand Scotland's fishing industry isn't best pleased by the new UK-EU deal governing post-Brexit arrangements, I was heartened to see some positive movements. For example, while a return to freedom of movement has frustratingly been ruled out by Labour, they have agreed to look at a limited scheme aimed at young people. The UK rejoining the Erasmus+ scheme, which sees students do part of their degree at an institution abroad, is also floated in the deal. If finalised, this would be a win for young Scots. If there's anything you think should be included, please don't hesitate to ping me an email:
