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The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- The Herald Scotland
10 of Scotland's best beaches to enjoy this summer
Yet while many of us love nothing more than to see the back of our own country in favour of the warmer climates of Europe and beyond, we should not overlook the attractions of Scotland's coastlines, and the unique beauties that they have for us to explore. 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. Read More 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.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
California stuntman crashes to the ground as human cannonball act goes horribly wrong, video shows
Terrifying bystander footage shows the moment an experienced stuntman's act went awry in front of a shocked crowd of onlookers at a California fair earlier this month. Chachi Valencia, whose stage name is The Rocketman Valencia, was performing his death-defying human cannonball act at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival in Indigo when a strong gust of wind blew him off course on March 2. "Taking it day by day with my faithful pup by his side," David Valencia wrote in an update to Chachi's GoFundMe page. "Grateful for time to heal and soak up all the love and snuggles. Here's to brighter days ahead." 10 Injured After Cars On Giant Pendulum Ride Break Apart Midair, Horrifying Video Shows Footage from the accident shows Valencia, a sixth-generation circus performer, sailing through the air after being launched from a 35-foot human cannon. As he falls to the landing spot, a gust of wind blows him toward the side of the net, causing him to bounce into the air and smash into the concrete ground below. "Right before the shot, I think the wind moved and it started a crosswind, and that's what happened—the wind caught me and threw me off to one side," Valencia told Fox 11. Read On The Fox News App Valencia can be seen laying motionless on the ground as employees rushed to call emergency responders. Oregon Amusement Park Files Lawsuit Against Ride Manufacturer After It Leaves Guests Hanging Upside Down "I don't remember anything until I was in the ambulance on my way to the hospital," Valencia said. Riverside County Fairgrounds did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. The daredevil sustained multiple injuries from the incident - including a broken wrist, cracked ribs and a lacerated liver - and was rushed to the hospital, where he was discharged just a few hours later. "I'm really sore. It's hard for me to move around—it's mostly because of the cracked ribs that I have," Valencia told Fox 11. "I also have a broken wrist that's not bothering me so bad." 20 Disneyland Park Goers Stuck At Top Of Roller Coaster When Ride Malfunctions Before each launch, Valencia must decide if the conditions are safe for him to perform, and he admits to weighing the option of backing out due to the fairground's windy conditions shortly before the accident. "You see all the people who are waiting for you to do your thing, and they're so excited, and you know I just couldn't cancel, you know?" he said. Valencia has 23 years of experience performing his human cannonball stunt, appearing at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony and various sporting events throughout the United States, according to his website. But before Valencia can return to the sky to continue his two-decade-long career, he must focus on rehabilitation and healing from his injuries, while reevaluating his risk-tolerance for his gravity-defying stunt. "I will definitely not take as many risks, as many chances, especially when it's windy," Valencia article source: California stuntman crashes to the ground as human cannonball act goes horribly wrong, video shows
