15 Best Beaches on the West Coast of Scotland
Scotland may not be the place you are thinking of when you need a seaside escape. I have rounded up the best beaches on the west coast of Scotland which I recommend everyone to visit.
Surprisingly, the west coast of Scotland is home to white sands and turquoise waters. Making stunning wild backdrops which are perfect for taking photographs.
Along the coasts of the Scottish mainland, you will find hidden coves. As well as town beaches and remote shores that stretch for miles.
You can embrace Scotland’s nature and wildlife on a secluded escape. Some of Scotland’s best beaches lie in remote corners of the country.
Some of the small bays are in the nooks and crannies of the Scottish coast. Keep scrolling to discover some of Scotland’s exceptional sights.
Ayr Beach
Location: Ayr Beach Car Park
Ayr Beach is a sandy beach on Scotland’s southwest end of Ayrshire. On a clear day, you can admire the views of Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and Pladda.
Ayr Beach is a family-friendly beach as there is a putting green, play area and crazy golf next to the beach. This beach is under an hour’s drive away from Glasgow.
Also, the haunted ruin of Greenan Castle is found further along this beach. Greenan Castle dates back to the 16th century.
Nearby Accommodation: West Sands – Donnini Apartments
Saddell Bay
Location: Saddell Abbey Car Park
This beach is perfect and is a great spot for capturing views across the Isle of Arran.
Peeking through the wave-bashed rocks is an iron-cast sculpture. The Sculpture was created by Antony Gormley.
To get to the beach you will need to follow a long winding road. This is where former Campbeltown resident Paul McCartney got his inspiration for the Mull of Kintyre.
Follow the Walk Highlands route which begins in the Saddell Abbey car park. Saddell Bay is one of my favourite beaches as it is so remote.
Nearby Accommodation: Carradales Luxury Guest House
Machrihanish Beach
Location: Machrihanish Bay Beach
Machrihanish Beach is a pristine, long sandy beach. There are stunning views across the Atlantic with great rock pools at low tide.
Machrihanish Beach is one of the best surfing spots in the United Kingdom.
The award-winning beach is located near the quiet village of Machrihanish. Looking over Machrihanish Golf Course. The golf course boasts one of the finest first holes in the world of golf.
Also, this beach is very remote. Thus, it is hardly ever busy and is a great place for tranquillity. Moreover, you can walk, relax, run or watch the sunset from the beach.
I loved watching the waves crashing against the sand.
Nearby Accommodation: Ballygroggan Farmhouse
Ganavan Sands
Location: Ganavan Sands
Ganavan Bay is a sheltered sandy beach near the seaside town of Oban. This is one of the most visited beaches on the west coast of Scotland.
The bay offers views out towards the Isle of Mull. It is a perfect location for shallow swimming, rock pooling and paddle boarding.
After a day of activities at the beach, you can head into Oban and enjoy some fish and chips. I find this beach is often the busiest beach on the west coast.
Nearby Accommodation: Brecbennoch
Sanna Beach
Location: Sanna Bay Car Park
Sanna Bay is a stunning beach located on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Located in the west Highlands, this beach is the most westerly point of mainland Britain.
The beach was turquoise waters and the wide expense of silver sands.
Also, it is most famous for its amazing sand dunes set against the rugged backdrop of hills. Including views out towards the surrounding islands of Rum, Canna, Eigg and Muck.
Often you will see whales and dolphins swimming by. Moreover, you may have the chance to spot more wildlife including sea eagles and otters.
You have to drive through a magma chamber of an extinct volcano to get to this beach. I was so impressed with the views from this beach.
Nearby Accommodation: Marys House
Camusdarach Beach
Location: Camusdarach Beach
Located in the south of Morar is a fairly attractive beach. A broad half-moon of powdery, white sand in a rocky peninsula. This is one of the best beaches on the west coast of Scotland with clear white sand.
Camusdarach is the location of the 1983 movie Local Hero.
The beach offers stunning postcard views across to the outlying Isles of Rum and Eigg. Further afield, you may spot the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye.
This area is a haven for hikers as you can follow the coastal paths. The paths snake away on either side of the sandy arc, or you can venture inland to view Loch Morar. Also, it is a great place for rock pooling and picnicking.
When I was at Camusdarach Beach last summer, there was a stunning wedding happening on the beach. Camusdarah is one of the best beaches to get married in Scotland. It doesn’t get more romantic than that!
Nearby Accommodation: Cooinda Cottage
Silver Sands of Morar
Location: Silver Sands of Morar
The Silver Sands of Morar is a stunning string of white sandy beaches. There are spectacular views out to the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna.
Many people stop at the bridge going over River Morar to soak in the amazing views.
The beach is more inland than Cambusdarach, so it is more sheltered. Also, from the beach, you can see the trains going by in the distance.
Nearby Accommodation: Cooinda Cottage
Mellon Udrigle Beach
Location: Mellon Udrigle Beach
Mellon Udrigle Beach is perfect for a holiday destination in the Highlands. This is one of the most remote beaches.
The small sheltered bay has a prominent coastline and gorgeous white sands. This area offers the finest views of this part of the coast.
Some sheep share the beach and graze on the surrounding grasslands. There are distinctive views of the Suilven and the top of Stac Pollaidh.
Nearby Accommodation: Loch Ewe Luxury Pods
Gruinard Bay
Location: Gruinard Beach
Gruinard Bay has three stunning, pink sand beaches from the Torridon rocks. This secluded bay has stunning views across the waters to the Coigach Hills.
Also, there are gorgeous sands and views of Gruinard Island. From the beach, you can take a brief hike up a stunning glen to reach an attractive waterfall.
Nearby Accommodation: Coast House
Achmelvich Bay
Location: Achmelvich Bay
Achmelvich Bay is paradise and is one of the beautiful beaches along the Assynt coastline. Achmelvich will take your breath away, this is my favourite beach on the west coast of Scotland.
Also, Achmelvich Bay was one of my most favourite beaches on the North Coast 500.
Also, you can find Europe’s smallest castle – Hermit’s Castle. This tiny stone shelter was built as a folly by an architect in the 1950s.
Nearby Accommodation: North Coast 500 Pods
Clachtoll Bay
Location: Clachtoll Car Parking
Next on the list is one of the most mesmerising beaches on the west coast of Scotland. The sand looks golden from the surrounding rocky outcrops.
Clachtoll Bay is the most northern Snorkel Trail site. It is a perfect location for those seeking to explore corals, kelps and dolphin swims.
Moreover, there is a free car park. A ranger’s hut shows information about the wildlife, geology and history of the beach.
From the headlands, at either end of the beach, there is a stunning mountain view for miles around.
Nearby Accommodation: Hilltop
Oldshoremore Beach
Location: Oldshoremore Car Park
This lovely beach looks like it should be in the Caribbean.
Impressive outcrops of stone surround the beach. Expect the water to be numbingly cold, even in the summer. But, it is exhilarating nonetheless.
Phollain is a pristine sandy beach and is often known as the sister beach to Oldshoremore. A craggy isle which is known as Eilean na n-Aiteig separates Oldshoremore and Phollain.
The beach and surrounding area is a rewarding place for hikers. From the car park, you can follow signs along a coastal walk which leads you down steps into the sand.
The entire region is in a protected nature reserve. There are over 200 species of flowering plants here. I loved walking along Oldshoremore Beach.
Nearby Accommodation: The Old Surgery
Sandwood Bay
Location: Blairmore Car Park
Sandwood Bay is one of the cleanest and most unspoiled beaches in Britain. Also, the mile-long beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the United Kingdom.
Large impressive sand dunes and a deep freshwater loch sit behind the shoreline. To the bay’s south, you will see the sea stack called Am Buachaille.
This is a very remote part of northwest Scotland. The only way to access this wonderland is to follow a 4-mile walking route from the hamlet of Blairmore.
One of the highlights that I remember from this beach is the large sand dunes.
The trail to get to the beach is fairly flat and snakes through the rough moorland. Moreover, Sandwood Bay is a perfect sheltered spot for wild camping.
Nearby Accommodation: Annie’s Annex
Balnakeil Bay
Location: Balnakeil Beach
One of my favourite beaches along the north coast of Scotland. To the north of the beach is Faraid Head. Fariad Head is home to military installations connected with the naval gunnery ranges towards Cape Wrath.
The white sandy beach is backed by a large area of tall sand dunes covered in marram grass.
Balnakeil Bay is crescent-shaped and faces west. Also, due to the remote location, Balnakeil Bay is one of the most unspoilt and quiet beaches on the list.
Nearby Accommodation: Wallaby’s
Where are the white sand beaches in Scotland?
The white sand beaches are situated along the west coast of Scotland. Also, you will find white sand beaches on the islands of Scotland.
A few beaches which have the whitest sand are Mellon Udrigle, Cambusdarach Beach and Achmelvich Bay.
Are there warm beaches in Scotland?
Due to the northerly latitude in which Scotland is located, high temperatures are hard to come by. Often you will hear that Scotland receives a few days of summer each year.
The east coast of Scotland, near Dundee, has the highest recorded sunlight hours in Scotland. However, this does not mean to say that the beaches here are the warmest.
The west coast of Scotland is warmed by the gulf stream so the water is sometimes quite warm. It is very rare to get water which feels warm enough to swim in, therefore I would recommend wearing a wet suit.
Also, there are a few sheltered bays on the west coast of Scotland. Sometimes this is enough to protect you from the harsh winds while relaxing or exploring a beach.
Final Note
The west coast of Scotland is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From the beaches, you will be rewarded with stunning views.
Some of the stretches of sand in Scotland have been mistaken for tropical beaches in other parts of the world.
The beaches in Scotland are perfect for photographers and connecting with nature. Also, on a nice day, you can relax and watch the calming waves approaching the beach.
Moreover, if the water is calm and it is a sunny day. You might see some people get involved in swimming and water sports.
Some of the most amazing remote beaches are located in the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides.
There is a wide selection of lovely beaches in Argyll and Bute on the west coast. Or you can travel further to the east coast to see some beaches with lovely golden sands.