13 Best Beaches in the Inner Hebrides
The beaches in the Inner Hebrides are some of the best beaches in Scotland. Some of the islands are hard to access with multiple ferries and long hours of driving involved.
Due to the remote location you have a high chance of enjoying many of these beaches by yourself or with only a few people there.
Some of the picture-perfect beaches can be mistaken for far-flung tropical locations like Hawaii, the Caribbean or Thailand. However, you can not be completely fooled as the temperatures are slightly different.
The islands towards the south of the Inner Hebrides include the Isle of Islay and Colonsay. Also, the islands towards the north include the Isle of Skye and Isle of Raasay.
Smaller islands in the middle of the Inner Hebrides include Isle of Rum and Isle of Eigg. Larger islands in the centre of the Inner Hebrides include Isle of Mull, Iona, Lismore, Tiree and Coll.
This post lists some of the best beaches in each of these islands including the Inner Hebrides and Outer Hebrides.
Isle of Mull
There are over three hundred miles of coastline with long beaches and smaller lesser-known coves. Also, Mull has over twenty beaches to enjoy.
The Isle of Mull has immaculate white sands and crystal-clear clear water beaches. The Isle of Mull is just under twelve miles from mainland Scotland.
To get to Mull you will need to book a ferry from Oban, Kilchoan, or Lochaline. The ferry ride from Oban to Craignure is forty-five minutes long.
Fidden Beach (Beach of the Sunsets), Isle of Mull
This westerly-facing beach is well known for sunsets. Also, the beach is very accessible by road as it is only one mile from Fionnphort.
This beach also looks over to the Isle of Erraid and the Stevensons Dubh Artach (Black Rock) lighthouse is visible on a good day.
Calgary Bay, Isle of Mull
Calgary Bay is a stunning stretch of sand on the north west corner of the island of Mull. This beach is one of the most popular beaches on the Isle of Mull.
The bay is a unique Scottish paradise with a historic castle and ancient forest right behind it.
Also, the beach feels wild and remote with good opportunities to spot wildlife. However, despite the remote location it is easy to access with plenty of parking and public toilets.
Additionally, you can spot a stone pier at the north end of the beach which was originally built to allow puffers to bring supplies to and from the sea.
Once you are finished exploring you can head to Calgary Farmhouse where you can get some refreshments at the fantastic cafe and art gallery.
Nearby Accommodation: Limetree Cottage
Isle of Iona
The Isle of Iona is located on the west coast of the Ross of Mull. To get to the island you will have to leave your car on Mull and jump on a ferry.
The passenger ferry is only a ten-minute journey. The Island has some of the most remote beaches in the Inner Hebrides.
Iona has wonderful sandy beaches and contrasting stony pebbly ones. The sandy bays are nice and secluded which makes the perfect shelter for swimming.
Iona’s history started in 563 AD when St Columba arrived on one of the glorious white sandy beaches. Along with twelve of his followers, he created the first Celtic church and established a monastic community.
White Beach, Isle of Iona
The White Beach on the Isle of Iona is a beach on the north easterly coast.
Also, the beaches in this part of Iona resemble something from the Caribbean. This is a beautiful place and is an excellent place to swim in paradise.
Nearby Accommodation: Iona Pods
St Columba’s Bay, Isle of Iona
St Columba’s Bay is a crescent-shaped bay on the south side of the Isle of Iona. At St. Columba’s Bay, you can enjoy the peace, the sense of history and spirituality.
The beach is reported to be where St. Columba landed in 563 and introduced Scotland to Christianity. There are many Celtic crosses people have made by placing boulders and pebbles.
The beach is the most southerly beach on Iona and it is one of the more difficult ones to get to on the island. Also, the beach is a good spot to look out onto The Black Island (Eilean Gubh) and beyond that to the Islay and Jura on a clear day.
Nearby Accommodation: Croft House
Traigh a t-Suidhe (Beach of the Seat), Isle of Iona
Traigh a t-Suidhe is a wonderful north-facing beach on the Isle of Iona. The sand is white and very soft and the sea is so colourful, clean and clear.
Also, the walk to the beach is a good half an hour from the port, you can make the walk longer by adding in several bays or beaches.
Nearby Accommodation: Iona Pods
Isle of Tiree
The Isle of Tiree has the most sunshine hours in the whole of the UK. Also, some beaches are the cleanest and the most secluded in Britain.
The beaches on Tiree are some of the best in Scotland, with crystal clear seas surrounding the island, thirty-six miles of coastline and shallow bays on the pristine sand.
Gott Bay, Isle of Tiree
Gott Bay stretches from Got Pier Ferry Terminal at the west of Ruaig and Soa in the east. The ferry terminal is used for ferries that leave from Oban on the mainland of Scotland.
Also, the wonderful golden beach is popular with windsurfers and sand yachters and the Tiree Lodge Hotel looks over Gott Bay with its charming restaurant and bar.
Nearby Accommodation: Kirkapol Beach Apartment
Balephuil Beach, Isle of Tiree
Balephuil Bay is located on the south-west coast of Tiree and has beautiful white sands and turquoise blue ocean.
Surprisingly the beach is a mile long and has some impressive waves coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. This beach is the main site to host the world championship windsurfing event, the Tiree Wave Classic.
Balevullin Beach, Isle of Tiree
Balevullin Beach is located on the north west coastline of the Isle of Tiree. The beach has a magnificent long white shell sand which leads into the deep blue ocean.
At Balevullin Beach you can spot some amazing wildlife including seals, otters and basking sharks. The beach is a great surfers beach with a cool surf shack.
Isle of Islay
The Isle of Islay is a stunning large island with over 130 miles of coastline with over twenty beaches for you to enjoy. Most beaches are sandy however there are a few shingle beaches.
Islay is home to some of the best beaches in the Inner Hebrides including Claddach Bay, Lossit Bay, Saligo Beach and Kilchiaran Bay.
Machir Bay, Isle of Islay
Machir Bay is also known as the Kilchoman Beach and is a two mile long beach with soft sand surrounded by soft sand dunes. The west facing beach is located south of Coul Point and Saligo Bay and north of Kilchiaran Bay in the Inner Hebrides.
There is a small area to park at the end of the track above the beach with a short walk beside the stream to the sand. In addition to visiting the beach you can look at other highlights nearby which include Kilchoman Parish Church and Kilchoman Distillery.
Also, you can buy a candle called Machir Bay which is made from local beeswax and is in support of the BeachWatch charity. This is a great souvenir for your visit.
Machir Bay is famous for several shipwrecks including Stella and the La Plata Norwegian vessel. Also, it was the infamous site of the worst convoy accident in World War I when the HMS Otranto collided with HMS Kashmir due to a navigation error.
Isle of Colonsay
When it comes to beaches, Colonsay does not disappoint. With magnificent white sandy bays dotted around the coastline, you will be spoilt for choice for beaches in the Inner Hebrides.
The CalMacFerry from Oban will take two hours and twenty minutes.
Kiloran Bay, Isle of Colonsay
The tiny island of Colonsay is home to many sandy beaches and one of the finest is Kiloran Bay!
Colonsay is a more isolated bay which is behind Islay and Jura, however, you will be rewarded for the effort that it takes to get there.
The white sand is separated by a few jagged rocks and the beach is surrounded by green hills.
In addition, the beach is popular with surfers. Also, you can stroll along the beach and get amazing views out to Jura from the Carnan Eion.
Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is home to some of the most magnificent landscapes in the west of Scotland. The Isle of Skye has some of the most magical beaches in the Inner Hebrides.
There are some nice beaches for you to enjoy. The beaches may not be as amazing as the white sands and crystal clear water on other islands.
However, the landscape surrounding these beaches are truly amazing.
Claigan Coral Beach, Isle of Skye
Coral Beach is located in the north of the Isle of Skye, the beach offers stunning views over the Camas Ban. The walk down to the beach is easy going along a farm track and takes about twenty-five minutes to get to the beach.
Also, on the way you can pass Dunvegan Castle and make a day out of it. The return journey from the car park to the beach will take forty five minutes.
Claigan Coral Beach is a truly magical place and is locally known as a ‘wee gem’. At low tide, you can explore the tidal island of Lampay which is a short walk across the bay.
If you are lucky enough to be there on a clear day, you can admire the Outer Hebrides.
Nearby Accommodation: Coral Cabins
Camasunary Beach, Isle of Skye
This is one of my favourite routes on the Isle of Skye and it is very quiet and off the beaten track. Camasunary is the shortened Gaelic name for Camas Fhionnairigh and means ‘bay of the white Shieling’.
The beach of Camasunary is adjacent to Loch Coruisk and the views are phenomenal. Also, the beach is sandy and is quiet, peaceful and tranquil.
To get to the beach you can start at the track just outside Strathaid village and go over the hills to reach the bay. Also, there is a small car park just outside the village of Kilmarie.
In addition, not only does the beach have brilliant views but the whole route is surrounded by the Cuillin mountains with the Munro Bla Bheinn coming into view before you get the first glimpse of the bay.
Nearby Accommodation: Askival
Talisker Bay, Isle of Skye
Talisker Bay is a beautiful secluded beach, the bay itself is beautiful with views of the coast. Also, there is a waterfall falling into the bay and you might even get the chance to spot a couple of seals.
If you are aiming for the most spectacular views you should try and go at sunset and when the tide is out. There is a small car park which has spaces for ten cars.
Also, it is a twenty minute walk to get to the beach from the car park. The path is defined and flat however, you will want to wear good shoes as the beach is rocky.
In addition, near the beach, you might be able to spot the spectacular Talisker Waterfall, one of the stunning waterfalls on the Isle of Skye.
Isle of Coll
The Isle of Coll is an Inner Hebridean island which lies four miles west of Mull.
The island has twenty large beautiful beaches and several smaller coves. Some of these destinations are the best beaches in the Inner Hebrides.
Also, the island is a popular destination for those wishing for stunning beaches, spectacular sunsets and general tranquillity.
In addition, there is a large amount of wildlife with seabirds, seals, basking sharks and dolphins all visible from its shores.
Final Note
This post lists the best beaches in the Inner Hebrides. Although the Inner Hebrides are a bit more trickier to go to compared to some other beaches on the western parts of Scotland.
The journey is one hundred percent worth it. There are so many coves and beaches to explore on the seven Hebridean islands listed above.
Scotland is well known for its magnificent coastline and a great selection of beaches. Explore the beaches on the west coast and the bays on the east coast.