Gruinard Beach is a wild and remote stretch of sand on Scotland’s northwest coast. Framed by towering mountains and rolling dunes. It is an untamed place where the Atlantic winds and waves set the pace. Walk for miles along the shore, explore the dunes, or simply sit and take in the scale of the landscape. The beach has a dramatic, almost cinematic feel, especially when clouds hang low over the mountains. Early morning and late afternoon provide soft, golden light for photography, while the ebb and flow of the tide create constantly changing patterns on the sand. Bring warm layers and sturdy shoes, as the wind can be strong and the sand damp in places. For a real escape, this is one of Scotland’s most peaceful coastal experiences.

Big wide golden sand stretches beneath your feet, backed by rugged dunes and rolling grasslands. Bosta Beach is quiet, expansive, and ideal for anyone wanting to slow down and soak in the Outer Hebrides’ atmosphere. Walk along the shoreline, let the Atlantic waves lap at your feet, or set up a picnic and watch the light shift over the water. Early morning and late afternoon give the best soft light for photography, highlighting the sand, water, and surrounding landscape. Even on overcast days, the textures of sand, grass, and waves create a dramatic scene. It’s a quintessential Lewis spot that encourages a slower pace.

Nestled beneath the Cairngorm Mountains, Loch Morlich offers a freshwater contrast to Scotland’s coastal beaches. The loch is surrounded by forested hills and sandy shores, making it a versatile destination for outdoor activities. In summer, the water is perfect for kayaking, swimming, or simply sitting by the edge with a view of the mountains mirrored on the surface. Autumn brings golden leaves and dramatic light, ideal for photography. Walking trails along the shore and through the nearby forest allow for gentle hikes, while facilities nearby make it family-friendly. Whether you’re after action on the water, a leisurely stroll, or just a scenic picnic spot, Loch Morlich combines natural beauty with accessibility, giving visitors a classic Highland experience.

Winning bonus points for its massive sandbanks, ancient history, and a sense of remoteness. Even in summer, you might have it mostly to yourself and you can wander around and try to find all the ancient Norse ruins. Ardroil Beach is a 50 min drive from Stornoway. Turn off A585 onto B8011. Park near Ardroil Campsite (toilets and facilities available). Also, check out Bosta and Reef Beach nearby.

This one felt special from the second we pulled up. The 13-mile single track drive is an experience in itself (watch out for coos). The beach itself is a natural made film set: white sand, crystal water, all surrounded by rugged cliffs.

You will need to take the long single-track road to Huisinis Gateway. Parking is £5/day, with overnight campervan spots for £10. Toilets, showers, and services available.

A small bay packed with beauty. Calm turquoise water, soft white sand, and rolling rocky hills you can hike up for panoramic views. Great spot for kayaking or paddleboarding. Bonus points for usually having free roaming highland coos grazing on the hillside near the beach.

Achmelvich is 1 hr from Ullapool on the NC500. Turn off B869 and follow a busy single-track road to the car park. There’s a great beachside chippy and a campsite with direct access.

If you’re travelling by campervan there is a great caravan park right by the beach. Nice showers and all the services you need. Cell reception is a bit patchy around the campsite but there is a bench at the far side of the campground away from the beach that has a random spot of good connection.

This is where we had the best beach day of our 7 weeks in Scotland. We keep this day up there right next to perfect summer days on the Adriatic!

Luskentyre Beach and Seilebost Beach are a bit of a drive away from each other, but at low tide you can walk between them in 20 minutes. At the lowest tide huge area's become walkable and the two beaches become one massive sandy beach. Walking this sandbar is ridiculously scenic, quiet, and deserving of every "best beach in the world" award it’s earned.

They're both about a 25 min drive from Tarbert. Park at Luskentyre Beach. It can get crowded but there is overflow parking at the cemetery nearby. Toilets on-site. You can overnight park a campervan via West Harris Trust with a donation.

For great views of both beaches and the sand bar, check out this roadside viewpoint.

Sandwood Bay, Sutherland

Remote and wild, with huge dunes and a dramatic sea stack. A long walk in, but worth it for the untouched scenery.

Calgary Bay, Isle of Mull

White sand and turquoise water with green hills behind. Perfect for a stroll, picnic, or a quick swim.

Scotland’s weather can be unpredictable, but the best time to hit these beaches is late spring through early autumn (May to September). July and August bring the most reliable sunshine, but also more tourists. Shoulder seasons like May to June and September offer quieter spots and crisp, fresh air. Don’t be afraid to pack a windbreaker and waterproofs. Scottish beach days don’t always come with the risk of a sunburn.

Scottish beaches aren’t your typical tropical retreats. The water’s cold year-round, often below 15°C (60°F), so swimming is for the brave or well-prepared with wetsuits. Layers, waterproof jackets, and sturdy shoes are must-haves. Bring a picnic and blankets, and plan for limited facilities at many spots, especially the remote ones. If you want a hot drink, carry a thermos because most of these remote beaches are nowhere near a cafe. And bug spray isn’t a bad idea either; midges can be pesky in the warmer months.

Keep your eyes peeled for seals basking on rocks, dolphins offshore, and an array of seabirds including puffins in the summer months. Many of these beaches are part of protected areas, so it’s peak Scotland raw natural beauty and wildlife.

Several of these beaches welcome campervans and wild camping but follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code responsibly. Park thoughtfully and leave no trace. Popular spots like Luskentyre have formal arrangements for campervans with donations supporting local trusts, while places like Huisinis and Durness offer fixed price options for overnight stays. Always check local signs and respect private landowners.

Most of Scotland's best beaches are at the end of long and windy single track roads. If you’re used to the big roads in North America, make sure you brush up of these tips to stay safe:

1. Don't drive recklessly on single track roads. There are lots of blind corners and hills so don’t be flying around blind bends without being ready to stop quickly.
2. Let others by. Also don’t drive too slow. If you’re nervous and need to take your time or if you’re in a big slow vehicle that’s fine. But once you notice people on your bumper, pull into the next passing place and let them through. Frustrated drivers cause accidents, and if you get too big of a trail forming it can cause a messy traffic jam.
3. Big Car Privilege. This is a loose rule, but whoever can maneuver more easily should do the hard work in a standoff. There are places in the road where you might come head to head with another car and one of you will need to reverse back to where there is enough space to share the road. So if you see a massive truck or an old campervan it's going to be a lot easier to get out of their way rather than make them.
4. Passing Places. These are designated areas (sometimes paved sometimes not) where vehicles can pull to the side and get past each other. Only use passing places that are on your side of the road. Pulling to the right of the road is like swerving into the oncoming traffic lane. The only time you would move into a passing place on the right side of the road is if there was an abnormally large vehicle you needed to let pass that wouldn't fit in there themselves. Do NOT park here. They do sort of look like layby parking, but you will cause everyone a big headache if you leave your vehicle taking one up.

• Drinking & Driving. Absolutely none. There is zero tolerance in Scotland and you need to be alert of these roads so it is for the best. Most pubs do a good selection of non alcoholic beers or you can always go for a squash/cordial (a diluted fruit syrup drink).

These aren’t your average tourist beaches. Most take a bit of effort to reach, but that’s half the fun. The drives are scenic, the crowds are minimal, and the reward is huge. If you’re road tripping Scotland and want to see its underrated coastal side, these beaches will blow you away.