Sunny, salty, wind-swept beaches and the feeling of crisp waves lapping at your ankles make spending time at the beach a favourite for many travellers.
Scotland offers a great variety of beaches to do just this, including long stretches of golden sands in the east and white, sandy coasts to the west, along with pebble beaches. Take time out of your holiday schedule to explore these breathtaking beaches in Scotland. Willing to travel further? Check out the KAYAK list of best beaches in the UK.
Ayr Beach
Ayr Beach, sometimes called South Beach, is widely considered one of the best beaches in Scotland and has even been awarded a Seaside Award by the Keep Scotland Beautiful establishment. If you’re there on a clear day, expect to have inspiring views of Pladda, the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig, and there’s a long stretch of sand for the kids to build sandcastles and some grass for a picnic. If you’re travelling with your kids, there’s a family entertainment centre located on the seafront, called Pirate Pete’s, which offers a range of indoor activities and adventures to keep them busy. You’ll also find a putting green, a children’s play area and crazy golf adjacent to the beach.
The Ayr Beach seafront is part of the Sustrans National Cycle Route 7 and offers visitors an incredible opportunity to explore the area atop a bicycle, which can be rented nearby. You’ll find other activities like fishing at the harbour, birdwatching or taking a trip out on a boat to fish for a locally sourced morsel. The options at Ayr Beach are endless and an absolute must when looking for a beach in Scotland.
Troon Beach
A short trip away from Ayr Beach, in South Ayrshire, you’ll find another of the most popular beaches to visit in Scotland, Troon Beach. The beach is curved into a bay and offers a sweeping stretch of beachfront, home to a well-known esplanade that offers a variety of treats, including fish and chips and ice cream. The beach boasts incredible views of the Isle of Arran and is within close proximity of the Troon Yacht Haven, which offers top-class facilities for travelling or aspiring yachtsmen. If you’re travelling with kids or looking for some additional scenery, you’ll find a kids’ play park close by, as well as luscious gardens, decadent restaurants and a wide range of local shops where you can stock up on supplies.
Troon Beach is popular with kite enthusiasts and windsurfers between May and September. Take note that during these months, dogs are banned from the beach. If you’re travelling with your furry companion, make sure you book a stay outside of these dates so he/she can tag along.
Edinburgh Beach
If you’re looking for a quick getaway from the city life of Edinburgh, Portobello Beach, otherwise known as Edinburgh Beach, is a short trip away and offers a wealth of popular activities and events throughout the year. Close to two miles of sand offers travelers the perfect opportunity to sunbathe and swim, while the nearby kayaking club and sailing club give guests the chance to try their hand at something a little different. If the beach gets a little too much, you can meander over to the Victorian swimming pool, which also features Turkish baths and an original Aerotone.
Thanks to its proximity to the city, this beach draws a lot of attention during the warmer summer months, which often culminates in a variety of ball games on the beach. If you’re looking for refreshments, you can make your way to the promenade that leads onto the beach and explore one of the many cafes or bars located there. A short walk from the Portobello town centre is where you’ll find additional shops and restaurants.
Aberdeen Beach
Aberdeen Beach is another one of the most popular beaches in Scotland, especially for those travelling in and around Aberdeen. The beach received the Resort Seaside Award in 2013 and has garnered a lot of attention since then. You’ll be treated to a selection of recreational and sporting facilities, including the Linx Ice Arena, the Beach Leisure Centre, as well as a plethora of restaurants, cafes, a cinema and a funfair. Take the time out to explore this city’s treasure and take a stroll around the golden sands that stretch along the coast of Aberdeen.
Dornoch Beach
This Blue Flag beach at Dornoch is a perfect fit for a family getaway, with miles of golden sand offering ample space for everyone to explore, whether building sandcastles or taking a leisurely stroll. The gentle shallows are ideal for little ones frolicking in the water and the dunes offer shelter from the sun and wind when needed. Dornoch Beach is popular throughout the year with many visitors, who come to take a long walk along the sandy shores or do a bit of paddling in the shallow waters. It’s also a prime spot to bring your dog for a walk, if you’re travelling with your companion.
During specific times of the year, you’re likely to catch a glimpse of seals playing out in the deep, and even dolphins make the occasional turn in these Scottish waters. During your walk, you can collect shells all year round and spot a variety of sea birds that frequent the beach. You’ll find three car parks at the beach, allowing for plenty of space to park your vehicle while you spend time on the shores. There’s a children’s playground situated by the second car park, where you can keep your kids entertained if they would like somewhere to play other than the beach.
Durness Beach
Durness Beach is one of four idyllic beaches located in Durness that are well worth a visit if you’re scouting the best beaches in the country. The wide sandy beach offers beautiful views of the Scottish coastline and plays host to a variety of interesting rock formations. During the summer months, Durness Beach tends to be quieter than many of the main beach attractions in Scotland and the water is a crisp turquoise blue with gentle waves.
Balnakeil Beach is another of the Durness beaches in the area and is located close to the main road. This beach may be one of the highlights of your trip, with a long stretch of white, sandy dunes giving way to open green fields that look out over the bay. You’ll want to take a walk from the beach to the other end of Faraid Head and take in the breathtaking scenery.
Sango Bay is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with pristine sandy shores and crystal clear water all year round. It’s situated in a cove close to Durness and is a must-see for any shoreline enthusiast.
St Andrews beaches
St Andrews is home to a variety of beaches that bring in thousands of visitors during the warmer seasons. Some of the best beaches in the area include St Andrews West Sands, St Andrews East Sands and Tentsmuir Sands.
St Andrews West Sands
You’ll find St Andrews West Sands along the Kingdom of Fife’s eastern coastline, about a 15-minute walk from the centre of the town. The beach stretches out for almost two miles and is popular with locals and visitors alike for walking and running, or for a gentle swim in the ocean. The waves tend to be smaller and the water is gentle, so it’s an ideal spot for you to take the kids. There are a range of shops and restaurants within walking distance, as well as a world-renowned golf course close by, for the golfers among you.
St Andrews East Sands
You’ll find St Andrews East Sands located close to the East Sands Leisure Centre, on the south side of the harbour. This lively sandy beach boasts an array of water sports, including sailing and surfing, thanks to its proximity to the harbour and sailing club. You’ll find a walking path on the inland side and a variety of fascinating rock pools towards the south end of the shoreline. During peak season, local lifeguards patrol the beach to ensure everyone’s safety.
Tentsmuir Sands
Tentsmuir Sands is less popular than the other two but still well worth a visit when in the area. This beach is located a short walk away from the mouth of the Tey Estuary and offers an expanse of clean beachside with grassy dunes at the back of it. You’ll often find grey and common seals basking in the sunlight along the banks of the beach and a variety of sea birds, including oystercatchers and eider ducks.
Nairn Beach
Nairn Beach is an absolute slice of paradise that’s located a short drive away from Inverness. Picture crystal clear turquoise waters crashing over white beach sand with rolling hills as a scenic backdrop to your experience. There are very few places on the planet that could better the views from Nairn Beach. Families are known to frequent the beach, as it offers activities for everyone involved, including a playpark for kids.
The exquisite views over the Moray Firth towards Cromarty offer a chance to catch a glimpse of some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see. If you happen to be in Scotland during the winter, Nairn Beach lets you catch the magical sight of the Northern Lights dancing through the night skies over the Firth. During the summer months, the coastline is home to a local school of dolphins that you can spot playing and fishing in the water. For those looking for a long stroll along the coast, Nairn Beach offers a wide range of coastal walks in both directions, with a viewpoint to the west and the Kingsteps Nature Reserve to the east.
The waters of Nairn Beach are said to contain magical, medicinal qualities, so it isn’t a surprise that, especially with the astounding views, it has won countless awards for its beaches. Make sure you take time out of your schedule while travelling in Scotland to visit Nairn Beach.
Coral Beach Skye
Coral Beach, in Claigan, is one of the most beautiful beaches located on the Isle of Skye. The beach is known locally as “wee gem” and offers incredible views over Camas Ban. Surprisingly, the beach isn’t made of coral but instead of sun-bleached and fossilised algae and Red Coralline seaweed, giving the water a tropical blue look when the sun comes out. As you explore the beach, you’ll find a wide selection of interesting, colourful shells along the shore and a couple of rock pools worth scouring for strange-looking sea creatures.
Coldingham Bay
Coldingham Bay is found along the Scottish Borders and is a stretch of clean sand with plentiful grassy dunes behind the beach. Quietly located along the Berwickshire coastline, this pristine beach is one of many favourites located within an hour of the capital city. Coldingham Bay is a popular spot for dog walkers, surfers and especially the younger kids who are in search of hermit crabs. A rocky shore at either end of the beach makes it easy to keep an eye on the kids, and there’s a comfortable swimming area for everyone else.
If you’re looking for a longer stroll than just the stretch of beach, there are a variety of paths leading around the coastline that offer beautiful views of the cove. Avid bird watchers are in for a treat with the thousands of cliff-nesting birds that St Abbs Head Nature Reserve hosts nearby. During June, there are usually lifeguards at the beach on the weekend, while from the 30th of June until the 8th of September, they’re there seven days a week.
Beaches in Scotland FAQs
What is the nicest beach in Scotland?
St Andrews West Sands is widely considered one of the nicest beaches in Scotland. It is located in St Andrews, which is one of the driest and sunniest places in the UK.
The beach offers a variety of activities to enjoy such as sailing, surfing, windsurfing and swimming. There are nearby shopping facilities, and the beach is patrolled by lifeguards to make sure everyone is safe. The car park also offers parking for around 5,000 cars and has accessible parking for those with disability issues.
Where is the cleanest beach in Scotland?
Although not on our list, Achmelvich Beach, near Lochinver, has been named the cleanest beach in Scotland, with a cleanliness score of 87.1/100 for the cleanliness of the water and surrounding areas.
Are there warm beaches in Scotland?
The water flowing in from the gulf stream tends to warm up the water in parts of the west coast of Scotland. The most popular beaches are found on the east coast, but there are a few worth visiting on the west coast that should have slightly warmer water. A couple of these beaches include Camusdarach in Morar, Big Sand Beach in Gairloch, Sandwood Bay, Achmelvich and Sanna Bay in Ardnamurchan.
Which Scottish island has the best beaches?
If you’re looking to spend your time in Scotland on an island with the best beaches, you should spend time in Shetland. Shetland, otherwise known as the Shetland Islands, is home to some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the world and home to a variety of top-tier beaches worth checking out, such as Meal Beach, St Ninian’s Ayre, The Lang Ayre, Spiggie Beach and Sands of Breckon. Of these beaches, St Ninian’s is probably the most famous and is linked to the mainland by a sand tombolo. Both sides of St Ninian’s Ayre are lapped by the ocean waters.
