Scotland beaches are regularly voted in the world’s top ten. With turquoise seas and white sands on the west coast, to huge swaths of beach complete with rolling waves on the north and east, whether you want to lets the kids and the dogs run wild, or to go surfing or stand up paddle boarding here is where to go for beach holidays in Scotland.
5 of the best places to go for beach holidays in Scotland
- Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris – consistently voted one of the world’s best beaches, Luskentyre is top of the list of places to go for a beach holidays in Scotland.
- North Berwick and Tyninghame, East Lothian – Scotland’s seaside resort, North Berwick has two town beaches and further afield the coastline from Gullane to Dunbar has lots of beaches to discover.
- Camusdarach Beach & Morar, Arisaig – with spectacular white sandy beaches, soaring mountains and beautiful islands it’s no wonder that Scotland’s west coast is the first place many people think of when planning beach holiday in Scotland.
- Elie & Earlsferry, East Neuk of Fife – Elie is a quintessential Scottish seaside village and is a popular holiday destination for Scots.
- Achmelvich and Chlactoll Beaches, Lochinver – with turquoise waters and white sands, these north west coast beaches are a popular spot for water sports, ideal for kayaking, snorkelling, and diving.
Read on for how to find out more about the ultimate places to go for a beach holiday in Scotland:
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Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris
The largest of the Outer Hebrides 15 inhabited islands, Lewis and Harris are actually the largest islands in the UK – and are famous for their stunning beaches. The best? Luskentyre. Consistently voted one of the world’s best beaches, Luskentyre is top of the list of places to go for a beach holidays in Scotland.
However, Luskentyre isn’t the only beach on Harris – the whole of the island’s coastline is full of fabulous sands – why not from beach hop from Hushinish to my favourite Seilebost, then to Horgabost, Borve, and Scarista Beach – all with beautiful white sands and turquoise seas. On Lewis, Uig Bay is another favourite.
Stay at: the stunning Taigh Rona which has four bedrooms and overlooks Luskentyre or Taigh Marsaili nearby which has two bedrooms. Go camping at Horgabost Campsite or luxuty glamping at Luskentyre Beach Cabins. Looking for luxury? Check into Bluereef cottages or the fabulous 1 Luskentyre. Further afield stay at Kirklea Island Suites, Grimisdale Guest House, the Old Post Office, An Lochan, or Otter Cottage
Get there: Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) sail from Ullapool to Lewis (Stornoway) and Skye to Harris (Tarbert).
Read more: how to visit the Outer Hebrides
North Berwick and Tyninghame, East Lothian
North Berwick is East Lothian’s proper old-fashioned seaside resort. With two town beaches, a seabird centre, a harbour for boat trips out to the Forth estuary islands, ice cream shops, fish & chips (and even a lobster shack) and plenty of galleries and shops to wander around it has all the beach holidays in Scotland charm you could wish for.
North Berwick’s two beaches is the huge sweep of the West Beach but families love East (or Milsey) Bay with its boat pond, which is more usually used these days as a precarious running track and views to Bass Rock.
The coastline from Gullane to Dunbar has lots of beaches to discover – my favourite is Seacliff with its tiny harbour and looming castle, although a close second is Tyninghame for views of Bass Rock and the surfers and Yellowcraigs for tales of treasure on Fidra Lighthouse. You can also find the bridge to nowhere at Belhaven Bay and try horse riding on the huge sands at Gullane.
Stay at: Go glamping at “Whitekirk” Rock & Castle Escapes, or book into this 4 Bedroom Cottage in lovely East Linton, or the nearby Lynn Cottage. In North Berwick stay at JOIVY The Lodge At Gilmerton House. If you are looking for a hotel, the Old Aberlady Inn is recommended and for families Harvest Moon Holidays or the lodges at Whitekirk Hill.
Get there: By Car, take the A1 east of Edinburgh to Longniddry and then the signposted coastal route via Aberlady, Gullane and Dirleton to North Berwick. Trains run to Longniddry, North Berwick and Dunbar.
Read more: things to do in East Lothian
Camusdarach Beach, Morar & Arisaig, Mallaig
With spectacular white sandy beaches, soaring mountains and beautiful islands it’s no wonder that Scotland’s west coast is the first place many people think of when planning a trip to Scotland. Many of the beaches here compete against the best in the world, but the beaches at Arsaig and Morar are some of the best places for beach holidays in Scotland.
From the the Silver Sands of Morar – a series of white sandy beaches on the banks of the River Moidart where it meets the Sounds of Arisaig, to the longest Camusdarach Beach with its views out to Rum, Eigg and Muck, to Traigh beach with its series of beaches around the bay.
Stay at: Camusdarach has a campsite, glamping cabins and self catering accomodation, Silversands Caravan & Campsite is at Arisaig.
There are plenty of self catering cottages to choose from for your beach holiday in Scotland – from this 3-bedroom bungalow in Arisaig with garden, or Brae House which accepts pets, try 6 Lowlands or this Star Wars themed lodge, Litua self-catering in Arisaig has a hot tub, or book Star Na Mara. In Malaig book Taigh Sona, the Wee Lodge or Bourblach.
Get there: by Car, Edinburgh to Mallaig is around 4.5-5 hours drive via Fort William, from Glasgow it will take around 4 hours. You can also catch the train to Mallaig with stops at Arisaig and Morar.
Elie & Earlsferry, East Neuk of Fife
The seaside villages of the East Neuk of Fife must be some of Scotland’s prettiest and Elie & Earlsferry, is a quintessential Scottish seaside village and is a popular holiday destination for Scots for beach holidays in Scotland; how about renting an idyllic cottage with that sea view?
Beyond beach games and rock pool hunting, the village is served by the Ship Inn, which serves gorgeous seafood on beach side benches, from which you can watch Elie’s beach cricket matches.
From Elie walk the Fife Coastal Path to St Monans, passing Ruby Bay, named after the garnets that were once mined there (keep an eye out, you might find a fortune!) the Elie Lighthouse and the quirky Ladies Tower at Sauchar Point, a changing room built for Lady Anstruther in the 1700s so she could bathe in the Forth. The tower has fab views over the Forth.
Feeling a little more adventurous? Nearby is the Elie Chain Walk – a series of chains fixed along the coast between Shell Bay and West Bay near Elie which you use to climb, scramble and coasteer along the Fife cliffs – kind of like a Scottish Via Ferrata!
If you love to wild swim, then Elie is a perfect place for a dip – you can also book the Elie Seaside Sauna – which is located on the harbour beach and is heated by a wood burnng stove.
Stay here: The Ship Inn has six rooms and a great restaurant, or pretend you are a local and rent a seaside cottage – In Elie book 28 Wadeslea, Park Place Elie, 10 Marine Park Elie, or further afield try Harbour House or Sandcastle Cottage in Crail and the Admiralty House in Pittenweem.
Read More: Elie & Earlsferry
Achmelvich and Clachtoll Beaches, Lochinver
Located between Lochinver and the Storr Lighthouse, 40 miles north of Ullapool are Clachtoll and Achmelvich beaches. With turquoise waters and white sands, these north west coast beaches are a popular spot for beach holidays in Scotland for water sports, ideal for kayaking, snorkelling, and diving.
Accessed down a single track road (the Drumbeg Loop, otherwise known as the mad wee road) getting to these beaches isn’t for the feint of heart or first time motorhome drivers – this is a tight road with lots of sharp bends.
The largest of the beaches along the Drumbeg Loop is Achmelvich with its huge sweep of sand. Around the bay is the beautiful Vestay’s Beach and venture further along to find the tiny ‘Hermit’s Castle. Behind the beach is a youth hostel and campsite. The next beach along is Clachtoll, which also has a campsite suitable for campervans.
These beaches are great for getting off grid, but nearby Lochinver has cafes and restaurants including the famous Lochinver Larder pie shop. The mountains of Assynt are on your doorstep if you fancy doing some hillwalking, including Stac Pollaidh, one of my favourite hills in Scotland.
Stay at: Achmelvich Campsite, Clachtoll Campsite, glamping cabins at Achmelvich View self catering, Tigh Eilidh lodge, Myrtle Cottage or Orchid Cottage, or The Smithy House & Cottages.
Get there: Achmelvich is around 5.5 hours drive north of Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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Love from Scotland x
Kate Hopper
The blogger behind Love from ScotlandLove from Scotland is your guide to how to travel Scotland like a local. My name is Kate and on my site you will find everything you need to plan your perfect trip to Scotland – from destination guides to the best places to stay.