One of the biggest surprises to me on my trip around Scotland’s North Coast 500 was the beaches. While there’s a lot of things to know about the North Coast 500 before you go, did you have any idea Scotland’s coast was dotted with incredibly picturesque, beautiful, white sandy beaches?! While I’d seen a few photos, I couldn’t believe just how stunning the beaches are on the north coast until I saw them for myself. Best of all, enjoying the scenery is free and a great way to stay budget-friendly on the North Coast 500! If you’re wondering what the best beaches are on the North Coast 500, this is the post for you! Here are the best beaches around Scotland’s North Coast 500.

EDIT: I took this trip in August-September 2020, and this post was written and ready to publish before my marriage ended. I have decided not to edit the original post.

Dornoch Beach

Just outside the town of Dornoch, Dornoch Beach is one of the first beach stops on the North Coast 500 (presuming you’re starting in Inverness and driving north). This is one of the top things to see in Dornoch, and one of the best beaches along the North Coast 500. Sand dunes give way to golden sand that stretches for miles.

Keiss Beach

Keiss Beach is just past the town of Wick, and is all too often overlooked as a stop on the North Coast 500. This is a quiet sandy beach, usually popular in the mornings and evenings with locals walking their dogs. There is parking at the beach for about 8 vehicles at the end of the single-track road.

Dunnet Beach

A huge expanse of sand welcomes you to Dunnet Beach. Dunnet Head is the most northern point of mainland Britain, and Dunnet Bay Distillery is one of the top gin distilleries in Scotland. So chances are you’ll be stopping around here anyway on your North Coast 500 trip. There is a campsite and caravan park here. I can only imagine how peaceful it would be to wake up to that view!

Strathy Beach

Strathy Beach takes a bit more effort than some of the other beaches along the North Coast 500. You’ll need to take a sharp turn off the A836 and follow the single-track road to the parking area. The beach is a bit further of a walk from where the car park is, but you’ll be greeted by another beautiful sandy beach. There is also a (free) public toilet here! 

Coldbackie Sands

Another lesser-known beach on the North Coast 500 is Coldbackie Sands. There is a small layby (room for about 3 cars) on the A836. From there, and then it’s a steep 15-minute downhill hike to get to the beach. Parts of the beach seem completely secluded—I loved wandering around the little coves, and enjoying the sunshine on the rocky outcrops. Just don’t forget you’ll have to hike back up to the road to get to your car!

Ceannabeinne Beach

Ceannabeinne Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the North Coast 500 route, and with good reason. It has golden sand, crystal clear water, and great views out to Eilean Hoan island, and along the coast! This was one of the few times we struggled to get a parking space—it’s a very popular overnight stop with campervans.

Sango Sands

This beach is another one of the most popular beaches on the North Coast 500. The Sango Sands campsite is one of the top-rated campsites on the route, and with views over this beach I can’t blame them! Regardless of whether you’re camping here or not, this sandy beach is stunning. Don’t miss it on a North Coast 500 trip.

Balnakeil Beach

Just down the road from Sango Sands (on the other side of Durness), Balnakeil Beach was one of my favorites from the entire North Coast 500 trip. The sand dunes here around Durness are one of the largest sand dune systems in Scotland. Plus you get a phenomenal view of Cape Wrath from Balnakeil Beach! Head out to Faraid Head (walking is allowed even though parts of it are owned by the Ministry of Defense) and you’ll see a picturesque white sand beach next to clear turquoise water.

Sandwood Bay

How far would you walk to get to the best beach in Britain?! Ever since I heard of Sandwood Bay, I became a little obsessed with visiting and wild camping here. It did not disappoint. Sandwood Bay is a 4-mile hike from the nearest road, so it’s not the easiest beach to access. The views to Am Buachaille sea stack and Cape Wrath (you can even see the lighthouse!) are phenomenal. You can read my full blog post on Sandwood Bay here—make sure to put it on your bucket list. This is one of the most peaceful and beautiful beaches in Scotland, and should not be missed on a North Coast 500 trip!

Clachtoll Beach

Assynt is home to some beautiful beaches, and Clachtoll Beach is definitely one of them. White sand and turquoise water make this the perfect place to relax. There is a campsite here, so if you’re so inclined you can wake up to this view!

Achmelvich Bay

Another of my favorite beaches on the North Coast 500 is Achmelvich Bay. Along with Clachtoll Beach, it’s a bit of a detour from the main road near Lochinver, it’s well worth it. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this beach—it was just so beautiful! It’s also a popular beach for water sports like kayaking and windsurfing. There is a campsite here as well, the Shore Caravan Site.

Mellon Udrigle Beach

Before you get to Loch Ewe and Poolewe, I recommend making the drive out to Mellon Udrigle Beach. This is a quiet beach (especially when it started raining when I was there!) and feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of the A832 and the North Coast 500. Enjoy the sand beneath your toes—and there is a caravan site here too if you’re looking to stay the night!

Firemore Beach

I discovered Firemore Beach by accident. We found out about the Russian Memorial Stone out near Cove at the Russian Arctic Convoy Museum, and we drove out along Loch Ewe and passed Firemore Beach on the way. This is a beautiful sandy beach, with the sand sometimes looking a bit red (hence the name Firemore). It was completely empty when we went—not another person in sight! There is a small car park off the road. While it’s not on the main road for the North Coast 500, this is definitely one of the best beaches on the route.

Scotland is home to some truly beautiful beaches, and doing the North Coast 500 is one of the best ways to discover some of them! Whether you’re braving the cold water to swim, or just enjoy walks along the beach, these are the best beaches to see on the North Coast 500. I hope this helps planning out a trip on the North Coast 500 to see these amazing beaches!

Have you been to any of these beaches on the North Coast 500? Which one is your favorite?!

You might also like my posts:

Sandwood Bay: Hiking to Britain’s Most Beautiful Beach

What You Need to Know About the North Coast 500 in Scotland Before You Go

A 7-Day Itinerary For Scotland’s North Coast 500 Road Trip

What to Pack For the North Coast 500 in Scotland

How Much Does it Cost to Do the North Coast 500 in Scotland?

Hiking Ben Hope: Scotland’s Most Northern Munro

My Outdoor Gear Guide For Hiking and Camping in the UK

All my Scotland posts!

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