15 Best Beaches On The North Coast 500
Most people know Scotland to be the place for towering mountains, ancient castles and a lot of rain. However, if you manage to get a few photos from the beaches on the North Coast 500 you will believe that they were taken in the Caribbean.
Perhaps Scotland is not the first destination that comes to mind when thinking of white sand and turquoise waters. The North Coast 500 has a number of beaches which deserve a place on any beach lover’s bucket list.
The photos that I have seen of the NC500 do not do any justice, in reality, the beaches are incredibly stunning, picturesque and beautiful. This post displays the most stunning beaches and bays on the route of the North Coast 500.
Whether you are camping in a motorhome or a tent, the North Coast 500 is not short of incredible beaches to keep you going. On clear nights, the sun does not set near enough until midnight while in winter it is the perfect opportunity for the Northern Lights.
In this post, the best beaches on the North Coast 500 are listed, running in an anti-clockwise route from Inverness.
Rosemarkie Beach
Rosemarkie Beach is a stunning south-facing beach located just around the corner from Chanonry Point. This is one of the most lovely beaches on the east coast of Scotland.
Chanonry Point is situated at Rosemarkie on the east coast of the NC500. Also, this beach is located in the Black Isle and it is one of the closest beaches on the North Coast 500 to Inverness.
The beach overlooks Inverness Airport so, on a nice day, you can see planes landing and taking off but you can not hear them. The beach has easy parking, and gorgeous surrounding scenery and is perfect for dolphin watching.
Also, this beach is a great location for swimming and paddle boarding. In addition, the beach is full of shells to collect.
Additionally, Rosemarkie is a stroll away from the famous Groam House Museum and a nice walk from the promenade. In addition, you can get a treat from the great little cafe.
Also, you can follow the Hillockhead Circuit which begins at Rosemarkie Beach and follows along the rough, rocky coastlines.
Moreover, you can explore the many caves between Rosemarkie Beach and Eathie. The most accessible cave is Cairds Cave which is a two-mile walk from the beach.
Dornoch Beach
Dornoch Beach is one of the most pristine beaches on the North Coast 500. The beach features a stretch of golden sand.
The beach has been granted the Seaside Award status as a clean bathing beach. Overall, it is a very tranquil place where you can wander and take in the sights and sounds of the sea crashing into the shore.
If you are lucky, you will get the chance to spot dolphins. The beach is located at the foot of the Royal Dornoch Golf Club and at the mouth of Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, is a haven for wildlife.
There are plenty of car parking spaces and an overflow car park for the busier times of year. In addition, there are toilet facilities and a cute cafe that sells hot drinks and ice cream.
Sinclairs Bay
Sinclairs Bay is a long sweeping curve of sand which is known to the locals as Keiss Beach. The bay is just north of the town of Wick, and is an overlooked stop on the North Coast 500.
The ends of the beach are marked by crumbling castle ruins from the 16th century. This crumbling castle ruin is a haven for photographers.
Also, you can admire the quietly rusting boiler of a shipwreck steam trawler rocking gently in the surf.
Keiss Beach is a popular beach in the mornings and evening for dog walkers and surfers. There is parking at the beach for about eight vehicles at the end of the single-track road.
Dunnet Bay
Dunnet Bay is a fantastic sweeping arc of white sandy beach on the North Coast 500. When the winds and waves are high it offers a surfer’s haven.
Also, the sheltered two-mile stretch of sand offers opportunities to sunbathe, paddle, swim and do other beach sports.
Dunnet Head is the most northern point of mainland Britain and Dunnet Bay Distillery is one of the top gin distilleries in Scotland.
Also, there is a campsite and caravan park here. I can only imagine how peaceful it would be to wake up to that view.
Melvich Beach
Melvich Beach is one of the finest north coast-facing beaches, the best place on the North Coast 500. The bay is a true piece of paradise, the beach is popular with walkers and surfers.
Also, the small stretch of sand is backed by grassy sand dunes. It is an excellent place to spot some wildlife such as otters, seals and nesting birds.
Take your time to get to the beach as Melvich Beach is accessed by a small narrow road. Be sensible with parking and do not upset the locals.
Strathy Bay
Strathy Bay is a neighbour to Melvich and it is known for its stunning views out over the Pentland Bay Firth. The bay is very large and beautiful beach with awesome rock banks.
Also, the beach is an interesting hidden gem which is rich in fabulous caves and sea stacks that are awaiting to be discovered.
Strathy Bay is also a haven for bird watchers, additionally, there is the opportunity to catch orcas, whales and dolphins in the summer months.
The bay is a bit more effort to reach than other beaches on the North Coast 500. There is a car park just beyond the cemetery of a single-track road.
Torrisdale Bay
Torrisdale Bay consists of an outstanding mile-long beach, with golden beaches and superb sand dunes. This beautiful beach can be reached by walking from Invernaver.
The beach is west of the historic village of Bettyhill where there are facilities for visitors. Also, there are a number of ancient cairns, hut circles, enclosures and cists.
Torrisdale is home to Torrisdale Castle, a mansion built in 1815, part of the estate contains some holiday cottages and lodges. Also, ruins of the ship – SS John Randolph can be spotted in the sands.
Ceannabeinne Beach
Ceannabeinne Beach is a beautiful beach with brilliant white sand and crystal clear water. Also, there are great views out to Eilean Hoan Island and along the coast.
The bay is sheltered by massive rocks. If it is quiet enough, you can camp on the cliffs and get outstanding views of the sunset and sunrise.
This is a very popular destination on the North Coast 500 and you can struggle to get a parking space, this is a very popular overnight stop. There is parking just east of Durness off the A838.
Also, it is only a short walk from Rispond Harbour. In addition, the Golden Eagle Zip Line is here.
Sango Sands
Sango Sands is a stunning beach with amazing viewpoints and photo opportunities. The Sango Sands campsite is one of the top-rated campsites on the route due to its most beautiful views.
Make sure to get a photo of the Sango Sands Viewpoint, one of the most important scenic viewpoints on the North Coast 500.
Balnakeil Beach
Balnakeil Beach is one of the best destinations, a must go on the North Coast 500. The long stretches of white sand with large sand dunes almost looks tropical.
Also, the sand dunes are one of the largest sand dunes systems in Scotland with a large range of habitats. I loved how remote this beach is and I feel like you have the whole area to yourself.
Balnakeil Beach is a spectacular, clean beach and offers endless opportunities to discover and explore. Also, the beach is known for spectacular sunsets.
Sandwood Bay
The Sandwood Bay is one of the most remote beaches on the North Coast 500 and the whole of Britain. Therefore, it has one of the longest walks to get to the beach.
Also, the beach is the cleanest and prettiest beach in the country. The long stretch of sand faces west and has massive sand dunes in the background and a freshwater lake.
Also, there are views of Am Buachaille Sea stack and Cape Wrath which are phenomenal. I was so surprised at how big the sand dunes are on this beach.
Sandwood Bay is one of the most peaceful and beautiful beaches in Scotland and should not be missed on your North Coast 500 trip.
To get to the beach you will have to walk four and a half miles through the heather moors.
There is a gravel path from the nearest road in the hamlet of Blairmore, north-west of Kinlochbervie. It will take one and a half hours to walk there and two hours to walk back.
Clachtoll Beach
Another beautiful beach in the area of Assynt is Clachtoll Beach. Clachtoll is a popular beach with some rugged terrain, including the Split Rocks.
It is a perfect place to relax due to the white sand and turquoise water. In addition, the headlands at either end of the beach have stunning mountain views for miles around.
The beach has a free car park and there is a ranger’s hut where you can learn about the wildlife, geology and history of the beach. Also, there is a campsite here, so you can wake up to these amazing views.
Achmelvich Beach
In my opinion Achmelvich Beach is the best beach on the NC500. The turquoise colours of the ocean against the crystal white sand is a jaw dropping sight.
I could not believe my eyes when I saw it. Also, the way the water matches the rugged highland landscape is a unique blend that you will not get anywhere else in the world.
The beach is located in the North West Highland Geopark, three miles from Lochinver, nestled among the rocky bays of the Assynt Coastline.
You can relax on the beach and take in the views of the Suliven in the distance or you can discover Europe’s smallest castle – Hermit’s Castle. Also, there is a campsite here, Shore Caravan Site.
Mellon Udrigle Beach
Mellon Udrigle Beach is a quiet beach with some of the finest views along this part of the coast.
It is a find off the beaten track, along a single-track road but it is well worth the detour. There is a small car parking area and a caravan site here too if you want to stay the night.
There are fine silver sands, backed by gentle dunes and grassy areas which gently slope into the waters of Gruinard Bay.
During optimum conditions, the water can appear a light bright blue. Also, the distant mountains in the bay in the background make the views incredibly unique.
I was surprised about how white the sands are and how blue the water is at this beach.
Final Note
Scotland is home to some truly beautiful beaches and doing the North Coast 500 is one of the best ways to discover them. Whether you wish to brave the cold for a swim or enjoy the walks along the beach, these beaches offer an unforgettable experience on the NC500.
I have listed many beaches that you can include on your North Coast 500 trip. There are many more that have been missed which are also worth visiting.
If you prefer quieter, prettier beaches of Sutherland where you can contemplate the meaning of life and your purpose try Achmelvich, Sandwood Bay, Balnakeil Beach, Ceannabeinne Beach, Melvich Beach and Strathy Bay.
As well as beaches the North Coast 500, there are some amazing waterfalls along the route. In addition, there are some lovely beaches to explore in the Outer Hebrides, Inner Hebrides and in Argyll and Bute.
The roads on the North Coast 500 can be narrow, winding and difficult to drive.
Make sure you are careful, respect other road users and use passing places correctly. Always allow enough or more time to reach the destination that you are going to.