5 Most Beautiful Beaches in Scotland

Meta Description: Scotland has a stunning landscape comprising rolling hills, classic castles, and gorgeous beaches. These beaches are sights to behold, and you can check them out for yourself.

Scotland is one of the best places to enjoy the sight of beautiful beaches. Like many of its neighbors, it also has spectacular mountains and lush green lands spreading for miles. Many tours to Scotland take participants to these beaches to relax.

Gullane, East Lothian

When next you are in Scotland, you should take a train to Edinburgh to see Gullane. Gullane is just a short mile away from Edinburgh, and it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Scotland. Its golden sands spread for miles of blissful atmosphere where you can let go of your worries. Apart from kicking back and enjoying the serene atmosphere while sunbathing, there are other fun activities you can engage in at the beach.

Windsurfers and kitesurfers use the waters of Gullane for their hobbies. Gullane is famous for its sandy coast that stretches along to England from the Firth of Forth. Your photos will come out great with dunes and shrubs as background. Gullane is preferred by family-oriented tourists and those looking for a nice spot to have a picnic.

St Ninian’s Isle, Shetland

St Ninian’s Isle in Shetland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. While the area boasts of many great water bodies, this beach is one you are unlikely ever to forget. The water laps around the fine sands of the tombolo that stretch six miles through the ocean. This is the largest sand tombolo in the United Kingdom and is known locally as an ayre.

If you want to swim, St Ninian is not the place to go, but you can enjoy gazing at the seabirds that parade the island. There is also a hiking trail nearby, which you can walk while exploring the historic area.

Loch Morlich, Cairngorms

Loch Morlich beach is Britain’s most beautiful beach, boasting a mesmerizing body of water and a fantastic sandy bay. Scotland’s only freshwater beach is set in the center of the Cairngorms mountain range. The location makes it ideal for many tourists looking to explore a wide range of activities.

At Loch Morlich, you can set up a tent on the beach to relax by the water or hire a boat to explore the water. The lake is also a prime spot for water sports like sailing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and paddleboarding. If not interested in all these, you can hire a bike to explore the mountain range through the Glenmore Forests.

Aberdeen Beach 

Bet Aberdeen Beach to make the list of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. The long stretch of sandy beach is a very popular recreational center in the city of Aberdeen. While the beach might not afford you alone time because of the crowd it attracts and the busyness, it is a perfect location for leisure, fun and everything in between. 

Luskentyre Beach, Isle of Harris

The last beach we will explore on this list is the breathtaking Luskentyre beach. The color of the water will grab your attention from the first moment you set your sight on it. If you have seen Luskentyre beach once, you will agree that it is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. If you have not, be prepared to get swooned by the clear blue waters and pristine white sands.

The temperature may make swimming impossible, but you can paddle across the gentle waves. If not, take a stroll on the beach with your toes dipping into the soft sand. Luskentyre beach is located on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, less than half an hour from Scarista, another stunning beach in the area. You can spend some time there if you are staying somewhere close.

Scotland has many more beautiful beaches than the few on this list. However, you cannot explore them all in a single trip, so you should start from somewhere. Many of these beaches are also located close to other top attractions you can explore while in the area.

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