Scots beaches that are exotic dupes of Caribbean resorts take TOP THREE spots in best UK rankings
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FOUR Scottish beaches with crystal clear waters and white Caribbean sands have been named among the best across the UK.
Scotland is home to a series of wonderful beaches - so it's no wonder that many receive nationwide attention for their beauty.
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Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris came in high on the list
Credit: Getty
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Scarista beach, also on the Isle of Harris, was praised by visitors
Credit: Alamy
And now new research has revealed that four stunning beaches across the country have been ranked among the best coastal locations to visit across Britain.
Experts at QR Code Generator compiled the list by looking at the highest-rated beaches on Tripadvisor.
Beaches that received four stars or higher were ranked based on the percentage of five-star reviews compared to the total number of reviews.
And it found that four out of the top five beaches were all found in Scotland - sealing all of the top three spots.
Some of which are so stunning that they are exotic dupes of Caribbean resorts.
And experts say that they could actually be even better because they're lesser-known hidden gems, which are not as overrun with tourists as some hotspot areas are.
Scottish beaches can often be overlooked for southern destinations, but these reviews show how extraordinary these locations really are
Marc Porcar
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, said: "Scotland dominates the list of best UK beaches, claiming four out of the top five spots.
"Scottish beaches can often be overlooked for southern destinations, but these reviews show how extraordinary these locations really are.
'These beaches are more remote than usual seaside towns that are overrun during the summer months.
"They offer visitors a quieter, more picturesque experience that is truly breathtaking.'
Scotland's number one secret beach revealed
Luskentyre Beach
Located on the Isle of Harris, Luskentyre Beach came in at number one in the rankings.
And it is no surprise, as it features miles of white sand and beautiful green-blue water, with impressive sand dunes and views of the island of Taransay.
Further adding to Luskentyre's appeal – for such a beautiful beach visitors might expect to have to share the beauty spot with crowds of other travellers but on the contrary.
So it's often possible to take a stroll along this beach without seeing another soul, making it the ideal secluded retreat.
The study found that 93.79 per cent of reviews (1,072 out of 1,143) rated it five stars.
And it was named one of the UK's best beaches in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards.
Scarista Beach
Another beach on the Isle of Harris that made the list is Scarista Beach.
Coming in at second place, experts found that 90.50 per cent of reviews (200 out of 221) rated it five stars.
Less than six miles from Luskentyre Beach, it is popular among visitors for its rows of dunes that are left behind by large waves nearly every day.
And it's because of these massive waves and high gusts of wind that it's been named as one of the best surfing beaches in Scotland.
The white sandy beach is speckled with seashells and since it lies on the southwestern coast, it has picturesque views over the Atlantic Ocean.
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Camusdarach Beach is an arc of white, glistening sand and clear water
Credit: Alamy
Camusdarach Beach
Camusdarach Beach was the third Scottish beach on the list and also rounded out the top three spots.
It is an arc of white, glistening sand and clear water just south of the estuary of River Morar, near the village of Morar, which is three miles south of Mallaig.
And visitors loved its spectacular views across the crags of the Cuillin mountain range, on the Isle of Skye.
Branded breathtaking, the spot is perfect for swimming, if you can brave the chilly waters, as well as rock pooling and walking.
And Camusdarach found fame in the 1983 cult film Local Hero, known in the flick as Ben's beach.
The experts found that a total of 88.54 per cent of reviews (309 out of 349) rated it five stars.
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Marloes Sands Beach was the only non-Scottish beach in the top five rankings
Credit: Getty
Marloes Sands Beach
Marloes Sands Beach in Pembrokeshire, Wales, was the only non-Scottish beach that made the top five across the UK.
The remote bay provided the backdrop for 2011 film Snow White And The Huntsman starring Thor actor Chris Hemsworth and the Twilight movies' Kristen Stewart.
Oscar-winning Hollywood legends Katharine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole and Sir Anthony Hopkins also filmed there for 1968's The Lion In Winter, which won three Academy Awards.
Travellers can approach the beach via the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path loop walk – taking in an iron-age fort, a deer park, and potential sights of wildlife including seabirds, seals and porpoises.
And a total of 88.51 per cent of reviews (231 out of 261) rated it five stars.
Full list of top 10 beaches across the UK
Rank. Beach - Location, Total Tripadvisor Reviews (Percentage of 5-Star Reviews) Luskentyre Beach - Isle of Harris, 1,143 (93.79%) Scarista Beach - Isle of Harris, 221 (90.50%) Camusdarach Beach - Mallaig, 349 (88.54%) Marloes Sands Beach - Wales, 261 (88.51%) Sandwood Bay Beach - Sutherland, 210 (88.10%) Embleton Bay - England, 318 (88.05%) Ross Back Sands Beach - England, 243 (87.65%) St Aidan Beach - England, 529 (86.77%) Rhossili Bay - Wales, 1,961 (86.69%) Steve's Beach - England, 221 (86.43%)
Sandwood Bay
Sandwood Bay in Sutherland came in at a fantastic number four on the list with an impressive 88.10 per cent of reviews (185 out of 210) rating it five stars.
It is a mile of golden sand forming a sweeping natural horseshoe bay on the far north-west coast of land belonging to the John Muir Trust, a charity that protects wild places.
The bay is backed by dunes and Sandwood Loch and framed by high cliffs.
From the beach, the massive sea stack, Am Buachaille, can be seen at the southern end of the sands.
It's also a great place for spotting dolphins.
And many visitors flocked to the popular review site to say they were impressed with its natural bay.
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