🗺️ NC500 Attractions

Achmelvich beach is the proof that Scotland does not need the Mediterranean — on a clear summer day, the turquoise water and white shell sand of this small cove on the northwest Sutherland coast is genuinely breathtaking, more reminiscent of the Maldives than the Scottish Highlands. The beach sits in a sheltered bay surrounded by low rocky headlands of ancient Lewisian gneiss, some of the oldest rock …

Sandwood Bay is one of the most spectacular and remote beaches in Britain — a vast, pristine arc of white sand backed by dunes and a freshwater loch, with the dramatic sea stack of Am Buachaille ("The Herdsman") rising from the waves at the southern end. The beach is accessible only by a 4-mile footpath from Blairmore, which keeps crowds to a minimum even in summer. The 8-…

Rosemarkie Beach is a beautiful sandy cove on the Moray Firth coast of the Black Isle, backed by dramatic red sandstone cliffs that give the beach its distinctive warm colouring. The beach is exceptionally popular for dolphin watching — the resident Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins regularly pass …

Redpoint Beach sits at the tip of a long peninsula south of Gairloch with breathtaking views across the Inner Sound to the Isle of Skye and Raasay. The beach has a distinctive warm, pinkish-red tinge from Torridonian sandstone fragments. Access requires a drive down a…

Big Sand Beach is a magnificent 2-kilometre sweep of golden sand on the Gairloch peninsula, consistently rated among the finest beaches in Scotland. The beach faces northwest across the Minch toward the outer Hebrides, with the jagged peaks of the Torridon mountains ma…

Gairloch Beach is the main village beach between Charlestown and Achtercairn at the head of Loch Gairloch — the hub of Gairloch's coastal life. The beach is clean and sandy with safe, shallow swimming, backed directly by the village with all amenities close at han…

Firemore Beach is one of the most intriguing beaches on the NC500, known for its unusually red-hued sand — a result of local red sandstone geology that colours the beach a warm terracotta glowing magnificently in evening light. The beach sits on the eastern shore of Loch Ewe near Poolewe, looking west across the loch toward Inverewe Garden. The s…

Mellon Udrigle Beach is a hidden gem of the Wester Ross coast — a crescent of white shell sand with clear turquoise water and some of the most spectacular mountain views of any beach on the NC500. The great peaks of An Teallach, the Fisherfield Hills and the Wester Ross mountains create an extraordinary backdrop tha…

Gruinard Bay is a spectacular sweeping bay on the A832 between Gairloch and Ullapool, with multiple sandy beaches and laybys offering magnificent coastal views. The bay is backed by the great peaks of An Teallach with Gruinard Island sitting in the middle — an island with a dark…

Ardmair Beach sits in a wide bay 4 miles north of Ullapool, a pebble and coarse sand beach with spectacular views south to the Ben Mor Coigach ridge and across to the small uninhabited Isle Martin. Ardmair Point Holiday Park is immediately adjacent, making this a convenient overnight stop just a short drive from the …

Clachtoll Beach is one of the finest on the northwest Sutherland coast — a sweeping arc of white sand and clear turquoise water framed by ancient Torridonian sandstone headlands. The beach takes its name from the remarkable "Split Rock" (Clach Toll in Gaelic), a massive boulder cleaved in two creat…

Clashnessie Bay is a beautifully quiet and sheltered sandy cove on the Stoer Peninsula, notable for the nearby Clashnessie Waterfall which tumbles down the hillside a short walk from the beach. The cove has crystal-clear water and white sand, one of the most picturesque on the NC500 despite being largely unknown.…

Oldshoremore Beach is a strikingly beautiful remote beach near the fishing village of Kinlochbervie, accessible via a narrow single-track road through an extraordinary landscape of ancient Lewisian gneiss. A crescent of white shell sand with clear turquoise water, backed by low rocky headlands. A short walk over the headland…

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, …

Sango Sands is the dramatic beach directly below Durness village, reached by a steep path from the clifftop where Sango Sands Oasis campsite sits. Two sandy coves divided by a rocky headland, with impressive limestone sea cliffs rising on either side. The views north…

Ceannabeinne Beach is a lovely sandy cove on the north coast between Durness and Tongue, notable for the cleared crofting township ruins on the clifftop above — a poignant reminder of the Highland Clearances. An interpretation board tells the story of the evicted families. The beach itself is sheltered and sandy with clear wate…

Coldbackie Beach is a beautiful secret of the north Sutherland coast — a small, sheltered sandy bay near Tongue with remarkably clear turquoise water. Reached via a short walk from a layby, keeping visitor numbers low. From the beach and surrounding headlands, views inla…

Torrisdale Bay is a large, beautiful sandy bay at the mouth of the River Naver — one of Scotland's finest salmon rivers — on the north Sutherland coast near Bettyhill. A popular surf spot, the beach picks up consistent north Atlantic swells. The wide sandy beach is backed by an impressiv…

Strathy Bay is a sheltered sandy beach with an impressive backing dune system on the north Sutherland coast. Broader and more sheltered than many exposed north coast beaches, making it a reliable swimming and surfing spot. Strath…

Melvich Beach is a wide, exposed sandy beach at the mouth of the River Halladale — one of the finest salmon rivers in the far north. The beach faces directly north into the Atlantic and receives consistent surf, popular with the growing Highland surf co…

Sandside Bay near Reay offers one of the more surreal views on the NC500 — the beach is genuinely lovely with soft pinkish-white sand and clear water, but the decommissioned Dounreay nuclear power station dominates the horizon to the east. Despite its unusual industrial backdrop, the beach is clean, safe for swimming, and often quiet. A memorable and unusual…

Dunnet Bay is a magnificent 3-mile arc of sand on the north Caithness coast, frequently cited as the finest surf beach in mainland Scotland. The bay faces directly north into the Pentland Firth — one of the most powerful tidal passages in the world — and th…

The Bay of Sannick is a small, sheltered bay near Duncansby Head, just southeast of John o'Groats, known for its shell-rich shoreline glittering with different coloured shells. Far quieter than nearby John o'Groats. From the headland above, the path to Duncansby Head leads past dramatic sea stack…

Keiss Beach is a pleasant sandy beach in the quiet fishing village of Keiss on the east Caithness coast. The beach is sheltered and clean, with the ruins of Keiss Castle — a 16th-century tower house — providing a pictures…

Brora Beach is a double-sided beach on the Sutherland coast, with the "Front Beach" facing the sea and the "Back Shore" on the sheltered Brora River estuary side, separated by the dunes of Brora Links golf course. Both sections offer clean sand and good swimming in settled weather. Brora village has a fuel station, café and the fas…

Golspie Beach is a clean, sandy beach adjacent to the small Sutherland town of Golspie, stretching south from the river mouth below the town. Popular with local families, offering safe swimming in settled conditions with mountain views to the west. Golspie has a…

Dornoch Beach is one of the finest and most accessible beaches on the eastern NC500 — a vast, award-winning Blue Flag expanse of clean sand stretching for miles along the southern shore of the Dornoch Firth. The shallow, gently shelving sand makes it one of the safest swimming beaches on the whole route. The medieval town of D…

Embo Beach is the quieter neighbour of Dornoch Beach, 2 miles north of Dornoch at the small crofting and fishing village of Embo. Fine white shell sand and clear water with excellent views across the Dornoch Firth. A good alternative to Dornoch Beach…

Portmahomack Beach is a gently sloping, picturesque sandy beach on the Tarbat Peninsula with safe, shallow swimming and a south-facing aspect making it one of the sunniest spots on the eastern route. The village of Portmahomack is a charming former fishing community with a good pub and café. The Tarbat Discovery Centr…