SIX gorgeous Scottish beaches that have crystal clear waters and white Caribbean sands have been named among the best to visit across the UK.
Scotland is home to a series of wonderful beaches on both sides of the country – so it’s no wonder that many receive nationwide attention for their beauty.
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And now a study has revealed that six stunning beaches across the country have been ranked among the best 56 coastal locations to visit across Britain.
Experts at Condé Nast Traveler compiled the list by considering the best sandy locations as well as where there is the clearest water.
They also looked at where has the best places to stay nearby for a weekend break.
The travel experts say: “The best beaches in the UK may not be recognized as the best beaches in the world.
“But take some time to explore the coastline on those increasingly common sunny UK days and you might be pleasantly surprised.
“The best beaches in the UK hail from the well-loved Cornwall coast to the secret sandy spots in Scotland.
“We’ve searched high and low to bring you our expert pick of the best UK beaches, plus where to stay nearby for a weekend break in the UK.”
The six Scottish beaches named in the list are Scarista Beach on the Isle of Harris; Achmelvich Bay in the Highlands; Machir Bay in Islay; Uig Beach on the Isle of Lewis; St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire; and Luskentyre in the Outer Hebrides.
Scarista Beach
This beach came in at number 36 on the list and is located on the Isle of Harris and it is popular among visitors for its rows of dunes that are left behind by large waves nearly every day.
And it’s because of these massive waves and high gusts of wind that it’s been named as one of the best surfing beaches in Scotland.
The white sandy beach is speckled with seashells and since it lies on the southwestern coast, it has picturesque views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Experts at Condé Nast Traveler said: “Scarista Beach is one of the Isle of Harris’ best beaches: an immense space, made up of miles of shell-scattered pale-gold sand, backed with dunes, and lapped by waters that look decidedly un-Scottish (though a wetsuit might be advisable outside of summer months).
“Seals play in the waves; eagles can be spotted wheeling overhead; deer stroll down almost to the beach.”
For a place nearby to stay, the experts suggest spending a night at the Blue Reef Cottages after being impressed with its stylish interior and jacuzzis, saunas and log fires.
They added: “Stay here and feel as though the beach is yours, barely another building to mar the view. And at night, the skies are bright with stars.”
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Achmelvich Beach
Achmelvich Bay, tucked away in the Highlands, can be found along the North Coast 500 and is the dream getaway for thrillseekers who like to windsurf, kayak or water ski.
It is located three miles away from Lochinver and has previously been dubbed one of the best across the globe for being easily ‘mistaken for the Caribbean’.
It ranked 37th on Condé Nast Traveler’s list and was singled out for its clean white sands and clear safe waters.
The experts say: “In the far north-west of the Scottish Highlands, Achmelvich has a series of lovely, intimate beaches backed by a picturesque, flowering landscape.
“It offers clean white sands (no dogs in summer holidays), clear, safe waters where porpoises swim in summer, an annual sandcastle-building competition, and Europe’s tiniest castle, Hermit’s Castle.”
They also suggest spending a night at the Summer Isles Hotel which has a Michelin star restaurant.
Machir Bay
Coming in at number 38 on the list is Machir Bay in Islay, near the small community at Kilchoman.
It’s a beautiful two-mile stretch of soft sand surrounded by dunes that is popular with tourists and locals alike for its gorgeous sunsets.
Condé Nast Traveler experts said: “Islay, known as ‘Queen of the Hebrides,’ is famous for its single malt whisky (there are eight distilleries on the tiny isle); but it’s also outlined by 130 miles of rambling coastline.
“Take a walk along the green, boggy flatlands, pass the iconic stone Celtic Cross of Kilchoman and you’ll come to Machir, one of the fairest stretches of sand of them all.
“It’s got a simple but perennially pleasing beauty: more than a mile of white-sand shoreline and a well-deserved reputation for stunning sunsets.
“Hike down to the south end and you’ll also come across a crumbling Iron Age fort hidden amongst the coastal crags.”
For those looking for somewhere to stay, the experts recommend Bridgend Hotel which is a sweet little stone cottage that is 20 minutes away from the bay.
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Uig Beach
This beach on the Isle of Lewis has been named as the best one on the whole island in the Outer Hebrides by the experts at Condé Nast Traveler.
Uig Beach, or Uig Sands, is a spot with soul-liftingly clear turquoise waters and fine, white sand, which is what sealed its spot as number 39 on the list.
The professionals said: “Uig Beach itself, or Uig Sands, is an unusually stunning landscape with bright, inviting waters.
“’Here are golden shifting sand dunes, machair grassland, myriad islets, and rugged cliffs,’ writes former Acting Deputy Editor Michelle Jana Chan, who wishes she could once more ‘camp here on the springy moss, awaken to the trill of the curlew, and then kite-surf at high tide in the shallow waters.’
“The waters are similarly bright and clear, the sands as fine and fair on the Isle of Lewis’s other beautiful beaches”.
The best place nearby to stay for a night is Handcrafted B&B Mint Croft, which is described as being one of the prettiest stays on Skye.
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St Cyrus Beach
Aberdeenshire might not be known for being somewhere that has natural beauty spots.
However, there are some hidden gem spots just outside the city that could give any picturesque locations a run for their money.
And one of these is St Cyrus, which is one of an array of beaches in Montrose, which has come in at number 40 on the list.
Experts at Condé Nast Traveler said: “Bordered by red granite cliffs and set in a National Nature Reserve, it plays host to a superabundance of wildlife: butterflies and fulmars reign the skies, whilst porpoises are often spotted in the sea.
“The north end of St Cyrus is also the setting of a grizzly slice of horrible history: set on a rocky outcrop lies the Kaim of Mathers, a castle where a local sheriff was once boiled by a cannibal laird.
“Luckily, the nasties died out in the 14th century, and it’s now simply a serene coastal village.”
For the best nearby place to stay, the experts suggest travelling to Braemar for a night in Gairnshiel Lodge, near Balmoral Castle.
Full list of the Best Beaches in the UK
HERE is the full list of the best beaches in the UK ranked by Condé Nast Traveler.
- Botany Bay, Kent
- Trevone Bay, Cornwall
- Sennen Cove, Cornwall
- Walberswick Beach, Suffolk
- Pentle Bay, Scilly Isles
- Crantock Beach, Newquay, Cornwall
- Mothecombe, Plymouth, Devon
- Mwnt Beach, Cardigan, Wales
- Holkham Beach, Norfolk
- Durdle Door, Jurassic Coast, Dorset
- Dunwich Beach, Suffolk
- Pedn Vounder Beach, Cornwall
- Hunstanton, Norfolk
- Shell Bay, Studland, Dorset
- Southwold, Suffolk
- Mudeford Sandbank, Dorset
- Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, East Sussex
- Whitstable beach, Kent
- Aldeburgh, Suffolk
- Brancaster Beach, Norfolk
- Dungeness, Romney Marsh, Kent
- Polzeath, Cornwall
- Bantham Beach, South Devon
- Filey Brigg, North Yorkshire
- West Wittering, West Sussex
- Sandbanks, Dorset
- St. Bees, Cumbria
- Woolacombe Sands, Devon
- Cromer Beach, North Norfolk
- Sheringham beach, North Norfolk
- Whitley Bay, Tyneside
- South Bay, Scarborough, Yorkshire
- Ventnor, Isle of Wight
- Viking Bay, Broadstairs
- Lantic Bay, Cornwall
- Scarista Beach, Lewis & Harris, Scotland
- Achmelvich Beach, North-west Scotland
- Machir Bay, Islay, Scotland
- Uig beach, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
- St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Luskentyre, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
- Three Cliffs Bay, Wales
- Aberfforest Beach, Wales
- Llanddwyn, Anglesey, Wales
- Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Rhossili Bay, Gower Coast, Wales
- Harlech, Gwynedd, Wales
- Penbryn, Ceredigion, Wales
- Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire, Wales
- Benone, Ulster, Northern Ireland
- Mill Bay, Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland
- Magilligan Point, Ulster, Northern Ireland
- Whiterocks, Portrush, Northern Ireland
- Whitepark Bay, Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Blackpool Sands, Devon
- Seven Sisters, Sussex
Luskentyre Beach
Another beach on the Isle of Harris that made the list is Luskentyre, coming in at spot number 41.
And it is no surprise, as it features miles of white sand and beautiful green-blue water, with impressive sand dunes and views of the island of Taransay.
Further adding to Luskentyre’s appeal – for such a beautiful beach visitors might expect to have to share the beauty spot with crowds of other travellers but on the contrary.
So it’s often possible to take a stroll along this beach without seeing another soul, making it the ideal secluded retreat.
Describing the beach, experts at Condé Nast Traveler said: “The Isle of Harris has some of the most evocative landscapes in the Outer Hebrides.
“Brooding, somber backdrops, terrains reminiscent of lunar scenes—it has a real sense of isolation. And there are many beaches to be enjoyed, too.
“The best is arguably Luskentyre, which has azure-green waters less associated with Scotland than with the Caribbean: clear as crystal, and trimmed by vast white coastline.
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“Occasionally, wild ponies are spotted grazing along the dunes, but they’re not the only nature to be spied: otters, seals, dolphins, eagles, and deer all call Harris home.”
the experts also suggested that visitors looking for a good place to stay nearby to stop at Scarista House which is 20 minutes from the beach.
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