Stunning Scottish beach that's like a ‘tropical untouched paradise' named among best in the world
West Beach, in the Outer Hebrides, makes the top 25, alongside breathtaking locations including Australia's The Pass and Ao Maya in Thailand.
7
7
7
Situated off the northwest coast of Scotland, the seaside spot sits on the longest archipelago in the British Isles.
Award-winning travel publisher Lonely Planet, which compiled the league table, hailed West Beach as an "untouched paradise".
The stunning shoreline stretches for three miles and is a hit with locals and tourists alike.
One visitor gushed: "It feels like a tropical paradise and shows that there are gorgeous getaways right on your doorstep.
"The sand is white and the waters are blue, it's the perfect spot to catch a tan on a sunny day."
And to cool off from the rays, brave swimmers can take a dip in the chilly waters, which rarely get above 13C.
For visitors who don't like sand between their toes, the seaside spot boasts grassy dunes perfect for bird-watchers or hikers who are keen to take in the jaw-dropping views.
The beach is stunning all year round, however, it's been suggested that spring is the best time to visit due to the "burst of colour" from the abundance of wildflowers.
The beauty spot has good transport links to the mainland with a regular ferry service running from Oban.
There are also flights from Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Southampton to Stornoway Airport in Lewis.
WORLD'S BEST BEACHES
Source: Lonely Planet
The Pass, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Ipanema Beach, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Ao Maya, Ko Phi-Phi, Krabi, Thailand
Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Sarakiniko, Milos, Greece
Chesterman Beach, Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Cabo San Juan del Guía, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Colombia
Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles
Playa Balandra, La Paz BCS, Mexico
Punta Paloma, Tarifa, Cádiz, Spain
Punta Rata Beach, Brela, Makarska Riviera, Croatia
West Beach, Berneray, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Rauðasandur, Westfjords, Iceland
Pink Beach, Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Dueodde, Nexø, Bornholm, Denmark
Keem Bay Beach, Keel, County Mayo, Ireland
Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park, PEI, Canada
Radhanagar, Swaraj Dweep, Andaman Islands, India
Pacifico Beach, Siargao, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines
Plage de Ta'ahiamanu, Mo'orea, French Polynesia
Plage de Palombaggia, Corsica, France
Gardner Bay, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Playa Manuel Antonio, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Playa Bahía de las Águilas, Parque Nacional Jaragua, Dominican Republic
It's advisable to rent a car to fully explore the island and the ferry should be booked in advance.
West Beach bagged 12th place on the Lonely Planet chart, The Pass, Australia, Ipanema Beach, Brazil and Ao Maya, Thailand, respectively scooped first, second and third spots.
7
7
7
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: Huge cost of airport parking this summer with travellers paying HUNDREDS for short stays
Holidaymakers jetting off on their summer breaks could be paying almost £200 for airport parking for just a four-day stay. And new data reveals that short-stay parking is almost 90 per cent more expensive in England than in Scotland. But there is an alternative that few realise works out cheaper, according to research from price comparison website – which says people are overpaying by not comparing their options. As millions of Britons prepare to head abroad for sunshine-filled breaks, many will be forking out to leave their car close to the terminals – with an average cost of £93.90 for four days in a short-stay car park. Four days in a long-stay option sees an average bill of £59. The most expensive parking was found at London City Airport, costing an eye-watering £189 for less than a week. However, a London City Airport spokesperson said that only 10 per cent of their passengers use a private car, and 'those that do use our car park enjoy being able to walk to our terminal from any area in a matter of minutes'. Prices were the lowest offered on the websites of UK airports across four dates, with two periods in August and two in October, covering a mixture of peak and off-peak, as well as weekends and weekdays. The rates fluctuate wildly across the country. Parking at airports in Scotland costs half as much as it does in England, with the latter coming in at 17 per cent higher than the UK average. Some smaller regional airports in Scotland even offer free parking, bringing the average cost down. Wales holds the unfortunate title of the most expensive average long-stay rate across the UK regions – £81, which is 93 per cent more expensive than Scotland's average. As well as comparing parking prices, a survey of 2,000 Brits revealed less than a quarter of those booking holidays compare the price of parking at the aviation hubs with booking a taxi. But this research found that holidaymakers spend on average a total of £92 for a taxi to and from the airport – often making them a more affordable option. Leaving the vehicle at home could relieve some of the anxiety around parking at the airport. A third of those surveyed worry about their car being damaged while parked, with 19 per cent concerned it could be stolen, while a third are concerned with the time it takes for them to reach the car park from the terminal. 'While airport parking is often convenient, the cost can be a challenge, especially during peak travel times. Many travellers might end up overpaying simply because they book too late or don't compare their options, said Alvaro Iturmendi, a travel insurance expert. The most expensive parking was found at London City Airport, costing an eye-watering £189 for less than a week 'Our research found that more than one in five (21 per cent) people cite driving and parking in an airport car park as their preferred airport transfer. 'So, finding ways to reduce the cost might make the choice even sweeter.' Being sure to book in advance, exploring off-site park and ride services and considering whether to split a taxi can reduce the burden of costs, Iturmendi added. 'Planning your airport transfer ahead of time, just like flights and accommodation, can make a big difference to your overall travel budget.' London City Airport has been contacted for comment. Earlier this year, bosses at Gatwick Airport – the UK's second-busiest airport – put forward plans to raise parking charges and drop-off fees to secure approval for a second runway. The proposals were part of a submission to the Planning Inspectorate, which had stated that Gatwick needs to ensure at least 54 per cent of travellers get there by public transport if it wants to expand its operations. The airport's chief executive said the main way to half the flow of people arriving in cars was to hike prices – especially since it has no control over the railways.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
English's caddie denied UK entry over drug conviction
American Harris English may be without caddie Eric Larson for next week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush after the bag man was denied entry to the the world number 19 golfer, said a letter is "sitting on someone's desk at the government somewhere" after the decision to stop Larson from travelling because of a drug conviction more than 30 years served 10 years in prison for drug offences before he was released in 2006 - and he has caddied at the Open he now needs an exemption to the new Electronic Travel Authority visa rules in the UK."I guess the United Kingdom doesn't look highly on his past," English said."I didn't understand how complicated the process was. Someone could see this guy had something in his past 30 years ago, he's been fine the last 20."How long does this stay with him?"English said multiple letters have been written to vouch for the caddie, including one from the office of the US Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens."They [Stephens' office] wrote a letter. The R&A wrote a letter. The PGA Tour wrote a letter. A charity event Eric works for in the States wrote a letter," English said."It's not for a lack of effort. I think it could be sitting on someone's desk at the government somewhere."The Scottish Open gets under way on Thursday. English has Davis Thompson's caddie, Joe Etter, filling in for him this week while he waits to hear if Larson will be able to get into the with Thompson playing at next week's Open at Royal Portrush, Etter will be unavailable to English."Joe was my Plan B," English said. "Now we're going to have to get a new Plan B."
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Heathrow to pipe 'sounds of an airport' around airport
The hum of an escalator, the rumble of a baggage belt and hurried footsteps are all interspersed with snippets of the lady on the tannoy: "Boarding at Gate 18".The UK's biggest flight hub plans to make your experience at the airport sound, well, even more like an what may be a bid to overhaul its image after a disastrous offsite fire in March, or just a marketing spin for summer holiday flying, Heathrow says it has commissioned a new "mood-matching" sound mix, which will be looped seamlessly and played throughout the airport's terminals this airport says "Music for Heathrow" is designed to help kickstart passenger holidays by reflecting "excitement and anticipation". "Nothing compares to the excitement of stepping foot in the airport for the start of a summer holiday, and this new soundtrack perfectly captures those feelings," claims Lee Boyle, who heads up the airport's the aim, it will raise questions over what additional background noises passengers require, when they already have the sounds of an airport - fussing children, people doing their last farewells into their mobile phone, last calls for late-comers - all around airport invited Grammy nominee "musician, multi-instrumentalist and producer" Jordan Rakei to create the soundtrack, which it says is the first ever created entirely with the sounds of an airport. However, Heathrow said the track also featured sounds from famous movie scenes, including passengers tapping their feet in Bend It Like Beckham and the beeps of a security scanner from Love is conceived as a tribute to Brian Eno's album Music for Airports, released in 1979, which is seen as a defining moment in the growth of ambient music, a genre which is supposed to provide a calming influence on listeners, while also being easy to ignore."I spent time in every part of the airport, recording so many sounds from baggage belts to boarding calls, and used them to create something that reflects that whole pre-flight vibe," said recording also features passports being stamped, planes taking off and landing, chatter, the ding of a lift and the sound of a water fountain, which some people may appreciate as a source of ASMR or autonomous sensory meridian response. Fans of ASMR say certain sounds give them a pleasant tingling sensation.
