The following list highlights some of the best beaches in Scotland. So if you are in Scotland, I recommend visiting the following:
The Best Beaches in Borders
Coldingham Bay, Eyemouth
Address – Coldingham Bay, Eyemouth, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 55°53’29.3″N 2°08’02.5″W
Coldingham Bay is located in Eyemouth, in the Borders region of Scotland. This wide, sandy beach is backdropped with hills covered in verdant vegetation, and has clear blue waters. The waves are great for surfing and bodyboarding, and with a surf shop along the entrance road, you can get the equipment you need. However, there are lifeguards on duty and areas where it is safe to swim. The beach is dog-friendly and can get busy during weekends, but it is extensive enough to allow space for everyone. There is also a cafe at the beach.
The Best Beaches in Fife
West Sands Beach, St Andrews
Address – West Sands Beach, St Andrews, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 56°20’49.5″N 2°48’20.8″W
West Sands Beach is located in St. Andrews, in the eastern coast of North East Scotland. With its golden sand and grassy areas, this dog-friendly beach is a perfect place for a fun holiday with family and friends. The water is shallow and calm, crystal clear and safe for everyone to swim. Just behind the beach, you can find the famous St. Andrews Golf Course. With grassy areas around, having a picnic in West Sands Beach is almost a must. The beach is usually windy, and you can spot some families flying kites, but it never gets too crowded.
The Best Beaches in Grampian
Lossiemouth East Beach, Moray
Address – Lossiemouth East Beach, Moray, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 53°13’28.0″N 4°53’18.5″E
Lossiemouth East Beach is located in Moray, in the northern coast of North East Scotland. This is an extensive sandy beach, dog-friendly, quiet and peaceful, with stunning views everywhere you look. The beach is windy, which creates excellent waves for surfing and paddle boarding. You can reach Lossiemouth East Beach by crossing a long bridge from the Lossie River estuary, but the bridge is currently closed and under repairs. However, there are cafes, restaurants and ice cream places along the river estuary.
Newburgh Seal Beach, Collieston
Address – Newburgh Seal Beach, Scotland
Google maps link – 57°18’18.3″N 1°59’27.4″W
Newburgh Seal Beach is located in Collieston, a fishing village in North East Scotland. Standing right at the river mouth of River Ythan, this extensive sandy beach is the perfect place for nature lovers, and just like the name states, a top spot for seal watching. The extensive stretch of sand and the verdant hills surrounding it are great for jogging, hiking and dog walking. There are no facilities at the beach, but you can find a few restaurants and cafes around the village; you can also bring your own food and have a calm picnic at the beach. Most visitors arrive during weekend afternoons; however, the beach never gets busy or crowded, and the atmosphere is always serene.
Cullen Beach, Buckie
Address – Cullen Beach, Unnamed Road, Cullen, Buckie AB56 4SL, Scotland
Google maps link – 57°41’33.2″N 2°49’29.4″W
Cullen Beach is located in Cullen, a village in North East Scotland. With soft sand and pebbled areas, this dog-friendly beach is a great place to relax and bask in a serene atmosphere, admiring a stunning mountainous view. The water is rather cold, but the waves are small and safe for swimming; besides, Cullen Beach is known for dolphin watching, since the chances of spotting them is high. There is accommodation in the area, and a few cafes and ice cream shops along the promenade. Even during the busiest days, the beach never gets busy or crowded, the wide stretch of sand allowing space for everyone.
The Best Beaches in Highland
Balnakeil Beach, Durness, Highlands
Address – Balnakeil Beach, Durness, Highlands, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 58°34’41.1″N 4°46’00.1″W
Balnakeil Beach is located in Durness, in the Highlands region of Scotland. A long sandy beach, backdropped with sand dunes covered in lush vegetation, giving off stunning views wherever you look. With calm, shallow waters, Balnakeil Beach is safe for everyone to swim, making it a favorite spot for families with small kids. Being a dog-friendly beach, visitors like to walk their dogs and visit the famous spots nearby; the ruins of a church, the cemetery of the old farmhouse. There are no facilities at the beach, so make sure to bring everything needed. Avoid swimming if you see jellyfish on the shore.
Camusdarach Beach, Morar
Address – Camusdarach Beach, Morar, Scotland
Google maps link – 56°57’28.5″N 5°50’54.4″W
Camusdarach Beach is located in Morar, in the Highlands region of Scotland. This picturesque beach, with soft white sand and crystal clear waters is the perfect place to have a relaxing, peaceful day. Along the horizon, you can spot and admire other far-off Scottish islands. The beach is usually empty and quiet, only getting busy on sunny weekends. There are no facilities or places to dine nearby, which adds to the feeling of being on a deserted island. However, there is a campsite nearby with great facilities if you plan to stay the night.
Nairn Beach, Nairn
Address – Nairn Beach, Nairn, Scotland
Google maps link – 57°35’22.9″N 3°52’20.2″W
Nairn Beach is located in Nairn, a town in the Highland council area of Scotland. With golden sand, pebbles, and crystal clear waters, this extensive beach is a calm and unspoiled spot to visit with family or friends. The water is shallow with small waves and rock pools, making it a safe spot for swimming, and the long stretch of sand is perfect for dog-walking or jogging. There is a small café and a playground at the entrance to the beach, next to the parking lot. Even though this is a favorite spot among locals and tourists alike, it never gets crowded, and the atmosphere is always peaceful.
The Best Beaches in Lothian
Yellowcraig Beach, North Berwick
Address – Yellowcraig Beach, Ware Rd, North Berwick EH39, Scotland
Google maps link – 56°03’50.5″N 2°46’38.5″W
Yellowcraig Beach is located in North Berwick, a town in the Central Belt of Scotland. Remote and isolated, this extensive dog-friendly beach is a nice spot to get away from a busy life, with dramatic scenery and a quiet atmosphere. Near the rocky areas of the beach, the waves are calm and the rock pools are safe for kids to swim; besides, Yellowcraig Beach is known for its strong winds, making it a great spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Around the parking lot, you can find a food truck offering snacks and ice cream, a children’s playground and toilet facilities. This is a popular beach, but the long coast allows space for everyone, so it never gets busy or crowded.
The Best Beaches in Strathclyde
Calgary Beach, Isle of Mull
Address – Calgary Beach, Isle of Mull, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 56°34’40.4″N 6°16’47.0″W
Calgary Beach is located in Isle of Mull, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. With stunning scenery where clear waters meet white sand, this small quiet beach is the perfect getaway. Being rather windy, Calgary Beach has great waves for surfing. Besides, all over the beach, you can find rock pools where small kids can safely swim. The beach is dog-friendly, and many people enjoy taking a long walk along the beach to admire the views. There is a campsite at the beach and a small ice cream store.
Ayr Beach, Ayr
Address – Ayr Beach, Ayr, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 55°27’30.5″N 4°38’32.6″W
Ayr Beach is located in Ayr, in the South West region of Scotland. This dog-friendly beach is a favorite among families, with golden sand and bright blue water that are usually warm. The beach is perfectly long for walking and sightseeing, especially at sunset. It can get busy during summer, or on days with great weather; visit early in the morning to avoid the crowd. There is a playground for kids to enjoy, and during low tide, you can walk miles into the water and it will still never be above knee-level. Along the entrance road, you can find an Indian restaurant with takeout available.
Troon Beach, Troon
Address – Troon Beach, St Meddans, Troon KA10 6JU, Scotland
Google maps link – 55°32’26.6″N 4°39’39.7″W
Troon Beach is located in Troon, a town on the western coast of the South West region of Scotland. This lovely and cozy beach offers a wide sandy strip, with stunning sunset views and a peaceful atmosphere to relax and disconnect. The water is clear and shallow, with no waves making it safe for kids and dogs to play and swim, and the strong wind is perfect for kitesurfing. There is an ice cream shop at the entrance to the beach, and you can find cafes and sports facilities around the town. It tends to be busy during weekend afternoons, but the beach is spacious and never feels crowded.
The Best Beaches in Tayside
Broughty Ferry Beach, Dundee
Address – Broughty Ferry Beach, The Esplanade, Broughty Ferry, Dundee DD5 2EN, Scotland
Google maps link – 56°27’53.4″N 2°51’46.6″W
Broughty Ferry Beach is located in Dundee, a coastal city in North East Scotland. This picturesque beach offers a long stretch of soft sand and green areas, perfect to take a calm walk and explore the area searching for photography spots. Although slightly cold, the water is shallow and calm, safe for everyone to swim and for dogs to play. And standing to the western end of the beach, the Broughty Castle offers a great view point, and interesting historical galleries. You can find a few restaurants, cafes and food trucks nearby, or bring your own food to have a picnic in the sand. It never gets overly crowded or busy, but most visitors tend to arrive during the afternoon.
The Best Beaches in Western Isles
Tolsta Beach, Isle of Lewis
Address – Tolsta Beach, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 58°20’13.1″N 6°12’01.8″W
Garry Beach is located in Tolsta, in the Isle of Lewis, part of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. This isolated beach with golden sand, towering rocks and caves, is backdropped with verdant hills, offering a peaceful atmosphere. You can kayak on the crystal clear water and around the caves far from the shore. Garry Beach is dog-friendly and perfect for hiking, with hidden spots among the rocks and breathtaking view points. There are no facilities at the beach, so make sure you bring everything you might need.
Seilebost Beach, Isle of Harris
Address – Seilebost Beach, Isle of Harris, Scotland
Google Maps Link – 57°52’12.4″N 6°57’20.5″W
Seilebost Beach is located in Isle of Harris, part of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Soft white sand and shallow waters of a beautiful turquoise color, and rocky spots backdropped with verdant hills. This unspoilt beach is all about bright colors, offering some of the most stunning views. The water can be too cold to swim, but you can kayak far into the water or hike around the grassy fields. There are no places to eat nearby, so bring your own food and water if you plan to stay for a while. However, there is a campsite nearby with great facilities and friendly staff.