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Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
The stunning UK beach that 'looks like Caribbean' with crystal blue water
The Caribbean may be out of your budget this year, but if you want a beach break that's a little closer to home, you might want to consider this stunning UK destination If you're looking for a beach getaway on a budget, you might want to consider this UK destination that 'looks like the Caribbean' thanks to its white sand beaches and vibrant blue water. Located on the Isle of Harris in Scotland 's Outer Hebrides, Luskentyre Beach is hailed as one of Europe's most beautiful shorelines. It is one of Harris' largest stretches of coast and also one of the most jaw-dropping shorelines, even earning it a spot among the UK's top beaches as per the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards. People who live on this remote island are proud to call it home, especially when they can enjoy the beach year-round – often without crowds of tourists. A woman named Caz took to TikTok to show off the beach's beauty in a video, leaving viewers wondering if they're looking at Scotland or a much sunnier destination. "Scotland? Or the Caribbean?" Caz wrote on the video before sharing clips of her and her friends enjoying a day at the beach. The video included shots of them all diving into the crystal-clear water and playing football on the shore. The Isle of Harris has been basking in a spell of good weather, boasting sun-soaked days with warmer temperatures in the run-up to summer. This welcome change has allowed residents to spend time on their beach ahead of the busy tourist season in the peak of summer. The video capturing these sunny scenes garnered over 2.5million views in just three days, prompting some viewers to fantasise about enjoying the beach themselves. However, some remained sceptical about the location of the beach, as they couldn't quite believe it was right on their doorstep. "This is not Scotland," one person said, while another asked: "Where the hell are you finding beaches like this in Scotland." Nevertheless, the doubts were quickly put to rest by several people who had visited Luskentyre themselves. These visitors were quick to share their own experiences of the beautiful beach. "Luv Luskentyre beach it's gorgeous xx," declared one fan, while another added: "Scotland! I live in Scotland and me and family went there at one point! Gorgeous place!" "Just remember, that water is cold enough to send you into shock if you're not careful," said another. Meanwhile someone else chimed in with, "Might look like Caribbean but temp is far from it." According to Hidden Scotland, late spring and summer are the best times to pay a visit to Luskentyre beach. At this time of year you will get the warmest weather, vital for any successful beach day. The 'lingering light' at this time of year also creates beautiful views of the surrounding landscape that are hard to beat.
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Daily Record
The beautiful Scottish beach that 'looks like Caribbean' with bright blue water
Dreaming of a beach getaway? While the Caribbean may be on your bucket list, you don't need to travel as far as you might think to enjoy crystal blue waters and white sands You don't have to travel far to get a taste of the Caribbean, as a breathtaking Scottish beach boasts similarly stunning white sand and crystal-clear waters. Tucked away on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Luskentyre Beach is often praised as one of Europe's most beautiful stretches of coast. As one of Harris' largest and most jaw-dropping shorelines, it's no surprise that Luskentyre has earned a coveted spot in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards as one of the UK's top beaches. Locals are proud to call this island gem their home, and for most of the year, they have the beach almost to themselves. A woman named Caz took to TikTok to show off the beach's beauty in a video, leaving viewers wondering if they're looking at Scotland or a much sunnier destination. "Scotland? Or the Caribbean?" Caz wrote on the video before sharing clips of her and her friends enjoying a day at the beach. The video included shots of them all diving into the crystal-clear water and playing football on the shore. The Isle of Harris has been basking in a spell of good weather, boasting sun-soaked days with warmer temperatures in the run-up to summer. This welcome change has allowed residents to spend time on their beach ahead of the busy tourist season in the peak of summer. The video capturing these sunny scenes garnered over 2.5million views in just three days, prompting some viewers to fantasise about enjoying the beach themselves. However, some remained sceptical about the location of the beach, as they couldn't quite believe it was right on their doorstep. "This is not Scotland," one person said, while another asked: "Where the hell are you finding beaches like this in Scotland." Nevertheless, the doubts were quickly put to rest by several people who had visited Luskentyre themselves. These visitors were quick to share their own experiences of the beautiful beach. "Luv Luskentyre beach it's gorgeous xx," declared one fan, while another added: "Scotland! I live in Scotland and me and family went there at one point! Gorgeous place!" "Just remember, that water is cold enough to send you into shock if you're not careful," said another. Meanwhile someone else chimed in with, "Might look like Caribbean but temp is far from it." According to Hidden Scotland, late spring and summer are the best times to pay a visit to Luskentyre beach. At this time of year you will get the warmest weather, vital for any successful beach day. The 'lingering light' at this time of year also creates beautiful views of the surrounding landscape that are hard to beat.
Edinburgh Live
25-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Scotland's 'most gorgeous' beach 'looks just like Caribbean'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The Caribbean is well-known for its pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, but it's possible to find a similar paradise without even leaving Scotland. Tucked away on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Luskentyre Beach boasts incredible white sand and turquoise waters, earning it the title as one of the top beaches in the UK and across Europe. As one of the grandest stretches of coast on Harris, Luskentyre has received honours such as the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for the UK's best beach. Given its beauty, it's easy to understand why island locals are proud and prefer to keep the beach relatively free of tourists for much of the year. One woman named Caz took to TikTok to show off just how much the Scottish beach resembles something you'd expect to find in the Caribbean. "Scotland? Or the Caribbean?" she wrote on her video while the video showed off moments from her beach day including her and her friends diving into the clear waters. The video also captured the friends enjoying a game of football on the shoreline before plunging into the sea for a refreshing swim. The Isle of Harris has been enjoying an unusual spell of sunshine and warmer weather, allowing locals to make the most of the beach before tourists arrive for the summer months. People were quick to comment on the video, and some people were shocked to learn this stunning stretch of coastline was right on their doorstep. "This is not Scotland," one unconvinced user wrote, while another asked: "Where the hell are you finding beaches like this in Scotland." These sceptics were soon corrected by people who had visited the beach, however, with many heaping praise on Luskentyre thanks to its stunning sands and crystal waters. "Luv Luskentyre beach it's gorgeous xx," commented one admirer, with another wrote: "Scotland! I live in Scotland and me and family went there at one point! Gorgeous place!" However, it's important to remember that while this beautiful destination may look like the Caribbean, you won't find the same soaring temperatures here. "Just remember, that water is cold enough to send you into shock if you're not careful," another person warned. Echoing the sentiment, someone else wrote: "Might look like Caribbean but temp is far from it." Hidden Scotland recommends visiting Luskentyre Beach in late spring or summer for the best experience, when the 'lingering light' casts stunning views that are hard to beat. This is also when the temperature is likely to be at its warmest, meaning visitors can soak up the sun and pretend they have hopped on a long-haul flight.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Mysterious Scottish beach with tales of ghosts, mermaids and centuries-old shipwrecks
Sandwood Bay, one of Scotland's most remote beaches, is a four-mile walk through the Highlands and is known for its pink sands On the wild northwest coast of the Scottish Highlands lies Sandwood Bay, one of the most remote and intriguing beaches in the country. Reached only by a four-mile walk from the nearest road, the journey may be long, but it rewards visitors with striking scenery, rich history and some of Scotland's spookiest legends. Sandwood Bay in Sutherland is not just known for its sweeping pink sands, dramatic sea cliffs and crashing waves. It is also the site of centuries-old shipwrecks, eerie ghost sightings and one of the country's most curious mermaid encounters. Situated just south of the notoriously treacherous Cape Wrath, the bay has claimed many lives over the years, according to Hidden Scotland. Before the lighthouse at Cape Wrath was built in 1828, the area was a graveyard for passing ships, from Spanish Armada galleons to Viking longboats and merchant vessels, many were lost to the brutal tides and storms. Their remains now lie buried beneath the sand and sea. This long history of tragedy has given rise to a number of chilling ghost stories. One of the most famous is that of a phantom sailor who is said to walk the beach at night. Dressed in a coat with brass buttons, heavy boots and a peaked cap, the sailor has been spotted pacing around a ruined stone bothy near the beach. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps crunching outside, knocking at windows, and even glimpsing a bearded face peering through the glass, only to find nothing there when they step outside. According to website JA Hernandez, in the 1920s, Scottish author Seton Gordon noted several submerged wrecks visible beneath the surface during his walks along the bay. Some believe one of these may have been a Spanish ship rumoured to be carrying gold. According to local lore, the ghostly image of a galleon can sometimes be seen glowing in the distance, never quite reaching the shore. But it's not just ghostly sailors said to haunt the area. In 1900, a local crofter named Sandy Gunn was walking with his dog along the beach when the animal suddenly became terrified. Looking around, Gunn spotted what he first thought was a large seal. On closer inspection, he described a seven-foot-long creature with golden hair and piercing green-blue eyes, a mermaid. Despite widespread scepticism, Gunn never once changed his story over the following 40 years. Adding to its mystery, the name Sandwood comes from the Norse word 'Sandvatn' meaning sandy loch, hinting at Viking connections. Historians believe Norse longboats were once dragged across the bay into Sandwood Loch. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The surrounding area is rich in history, with traces of Pictish settlements and evidence of life before the Highland Clearances in the 1800s, when local communities were forced off the land to make way for sheep farming. Today, Sandwood Bay is managed by the John Muir Trust, a conservation charity working to protect its fragile habitats. The bay's surroundings are home to rare species including otters, mountain hares, peregrine falcons and even sea eagles. In summer, the dunes and machair, a flower-rich grassland found only in parts of Scotland and Ireland, come alive with over 220 wildflower species and eight kinds of bumblebee, including the rare great yellow, according to the North Coast 500 website. Despite its eerie past, Sandwood Bay continues to draw visitors with its untouched beauty, wildlife and stories passed down through generations.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
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.
