10 of Scotland's best beaches to enjoy this summer
Scotland's beaches are renowned the world over for their stunning coastal scenery, water sporting hotspots and colourful promenades.
So if you are planning a few days away or perhaps even a family fortnight by the sea, you could do a lot worse than sampling one or more of our own coastal gems.
Here is our guide to 10 of the best.
Troon Beach
Two girls at Troon Beach
Troon Beach is perhaps somewhat overlooked in comparison to its bigger, better-known older sister, Ayr Beach, to whose stretch of sands it belongs.
A train journey or short car drive from Glasgow will find you in the quaint little town centre, strolling down to the beach and gazing out at spectacular views of the Isle of Arran on a clear day.
Dotted with family barbecues in summer and the ideal spot for tucking into a 99 cone, or newsprint-wrapped fish and chips – iconic staples of the British coastal holiday, it's a sandy haven for family with its long beaches, colourful promenade and nearby play parks.
Aberdeen Beach
Journeying further north and across to the east coast brings you to Aberdeen Beach. An expectedly natural feature in a city centre engulfed by the lure of the lucrative oil industry, it is an ideal family spot away from the hustle and bustle of the town.
A short 20-minute walk from the city centre, the beach features a popular esplanade with a range of shops, restaurants and other amenities against its coastal backdrop. The esplanade is designed with children in mind, with Codona's Amusement Park on the beach front along with nearby play parks.
The beach is somewhat reflective of Aberdeen City: modern facilities paired with natural landscapes. The beach itself is a colourful sandy stretch with glimpses of some dolphins if you are very lucky.
Balmedie Beach
Just a few minutes further along the coast from Aberdeen sees you arrive at Balmedie Beach.
Here lies one of the best places in Scotland to view bottlenose dolphins off the north east coast – a feature rivalled perhaps only by the sunny climes of the Floridian coast (although despite Aberdeen's dry warm summers, it probably won't be stealing the title of Sunshine State any time soon).
A spacious and unspoilt coastline, it is also home to a number of seals, and on clear nights offers visitors breathtaking views of the ever-mysterious Northern Lights.
Machrihanish Bay
At risk of neglecting the west with Aberdeenshire's offerings, Machrihanish Bay is well known for its water sport facilities, but also for the rare gifts it offers to wildlife enthusiasts. The nearby Sea Bird and Wildlife Observatory has recorded sightings over almost 200 species of bird, with otters and seals making regular appearances in the area, as well as an occasional visitor from the population of wild goats residing on the coastline.
Thurso East
Scotland's coasts, as well as being loved by locals and tourists alike for their spectacular views, are respected the world over in the watersports community, highly regarded as being home to some of the prime locations for surfing and windsurfing.
The predictable image of a surfing competition would predictably conjure up ideas of Hawaiian-esque beaches, palm trees and crystal clear waters. Yet Thurso East, one of the northernmost points of Scotland and about as far away as you can get from tropical islands, is home to some of the best waves in Europe and has hosted a number of international surfing competitions.
Its sandy beaches and raucous waters are a must for surfers both in Scotland and beyond.
Isle of Tiree
The beaches along the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides, are known to be some of the sunniest places in Scotland. The influence of the Gulf Stream makes the climate warmer and sunnier than the rest of the country. However, the island's beaches prove to be more than just an idyllic spot for a stroll.
Despite the mild climate, Tiree has a reputation for its windy weather, which has made it a long-standing favourite with Scottish windsurfers. National Championship competitions find their home in Tiree beach's autumn season, which sees professional windsurfers from around the world compete and benefits from international media coverage.
Silver Sands of Morar
Scotland coastline has also been recognised for its picturesque appearance. The Silver Sands of Morar were featured in the classic film Local Hero, and are renowned for their beauty.
The silvery stretch from Arisaig to Morar offers spectacular views out towards Eigg, Muck, Rum and Skye and its clean white sand and turquoise blue waters are enough to rival any Caribbean island.
Popular with many, the stretch of coastline proves a must-see for visitors. the beaches are easily accessible and can be enjoyed via walking tours and routes.
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St Ninian's Isle
St Ninian's Isle, one of the most northerly beaches in Scotland, is located in Shetland, and despite its convoluted access route for anyone on mainland Britain, its spectacular appearance is well worth the effort and travel time.
The discovery of buried treasure in the 1950s on the island makes it a site with a fascinating historical background, and its unusual tombolo formation – a sand causeway with water on either side – makes it especially notable to see.
Sandwood Bay
A common theme among Scotland's beaches appears to be that the harder they are to find, the more they're worth the journey. For those interested in making a trek of it or looking for somewhere a little less tourist-flocked, Sandwood Bay in Sutherland offers just that: a mile-long stretch of blush-coloured sand on a beach relatively untouched by the buzz of the tourist industry.
Its remote situation a substantial four-mile, roadless walk away from the hamlet of Blairmore, means a venture to the bay is not for the faint-hearted, but those willing to make the trek are greeted with unspoilt coastline. Who knows, you may even meet the and perhaps meet the legendary, if elusive, residents: a mermaid and the ghost of a dead mariner.
Sanna Bay
Travelling further round and down along the west coast brings you to Sanna Bay, the most westerly point in the whole of mainland Britain whose nearest north-western neighbour is North America.
The 45-minute journey along a single track road means that this trip requires some dedication. Upon arrival, however, walkers are greeted by the bay's stunning white shell sands and clear waters, and have opportunities to spot some of the more unusual wildlife local to the area, such as pine martens and sea eagles. Sanna Bay also provides views of Eigg, Muck and Rum and its rare views, relative remoteness and beautiful surroundings make it a true escape from everyday life.
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