🗺️ 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-…

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…

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…