About Balnakeil Beach & Craft Village
Balnakeil Beach is one of the finest and largest beaches on the entire NC500 — a vast sweep of brilliant white sand backed by machair grassland at the northwestern tip of mainland Britain. Famous for its sunsets across the open Atlantic. The adjacent Balnakeil Craft Village has an excellent chocolate maker, bookshop and studios. Puffins nest on Faraid Head from May to July.
Highlights
Over 1km of brilliant white sand
Famous Atlantic sunset views
Balnakeil Craft Village
Faraid Head peninsula walks with puffins
Balnakeil Church ruins (1619)
🚐 Motorhome Tip
Good car park at Balnakeil with motorhome space. Combine with the Craft Village (chocolate shop is a must) and a walk to Faraid Head for puffins (May–July). The sunset from this beach is genuinely world-class on a clear evening.
Getting There
From Durness village, drive west on the minor road to Balnakeil (1.5 miles). Well signed.
Best Time to Visit
Year round. Sunset visits unmissable in summer. Puffins on Faraid Head May–July.