Scotlands best beaches?

The beaches on Harris are stunning, much nicer than Uists in my opinion.

Achmelvich is pretty amazing too.

Bookmarked

Ah - Harris - I forgot them as when I rode harris I rode the golden road

Achmelvich is nice but much smaller scalebut does sit nicely en route from Arisaig to Durness

Seems to be a lot more in aberdeenshire than I realised as well

I rode much of the ayrshire coast last year

I really liked the Harris beaches.
Islay had a lovely one at Machir Bay.
Traigh an t-Suidh on north of Iona is lovely.
We enjoyed Ardalanish and Uisken on Mull.
Calgary bay on Skye.

The beaches on Harris are stunning, much nicer than Uists in my opinion.

You're just wrong though.

Achmelvich has become too much of a tourist trap now but Achnahaird isn't too far away and is often overlooked.

Uig Sands, Valtos and Reif in Lewis. Off the Hebridean Way, so bypassed by many.

Redpoint to Little Gruinard has a selection of lovely little beaches - plus the larger one at Big Sand.

Kyle of Tongue, Bettyhill, Strathy and Melvich along the North coast.

Dornoch and Tain.

Machrihanish.

Kentra (but you've been there).

Sanna.

I find the "best" beaches are those that have some rocky character to them too.

Stay in Kearvaig bothy and do loops on the beach. Balnakiel is good. Oldshoremore. Lots in the NW mainland. Ormacleit for length on the islands.

Sanna Bay in Ardnamurchan is a stunner.
Calgary Bay on Mull. The singing sands round from Kentra is lovely too. The Arising beaches are also grand and you can walk to them all in an afternoon.

Chuck in a tour of Tiree, some beauties facing all directions.

I'm heading to Coll and Tiree this Summer. Please don't send TJ there 😉

St Ninian’s Tombolo on Shetland

And Shatners Bassoon

Hmmmmmm

Good excuse to go to a few of the islands I have not been to

Achmelvich become a tourist trap?  Its 35 years since I have been there.  Had a great holiday in Valtos but thats 45 years ago and I remember the beach

I'm thinking this route is going to be even more daft than last years.  Maybe need to keep it to the west coast and the islands

Ta folks.  The idea is not to ride to the beaches but ride along them hence the fatbike

As @Waderider says, there's a huge long beach on South Uist. I was camping at Kilbride, headed North and would have kept going all day if I hadn't needed to go back for my dinner 🙂

You could basically lap Berneray on a fatbike.

If you are riding along the Gruinard beaches, we could give you a bed for the night. Make sure you pick a properly low tide though!

I have ridden a good few miles on the beach on uist.  Hard going on the tandem with trailer on 2" tyres tho

Im going to have to get very familiar with tide tables

I use a UK Tide Tables app on my phone.

For "linear" beach riding you've also got Whiteness to Buckie. I assume you've done some/all of that?

Along the coast Findhorn area?  Yes.

Loch Avon?

Wouldn't recommend Arisaig beach, it's shit, honestly nothing to see there 😉

Ettrick Bay on Bute is lush as well.

Edit: Another vote for Findhorn.

Tràigh Mheilein next to Huisnish looks like it would be great at low tide

I find the “best” beaches are those that have some rocky character to them too.

Well, in that case Largs is obviously a top contender!

What's your plan to stop the bike rusting?!?! 😄😄

to ride on the beach not the sea?  good point tho.  I guess do what I used to do with my motorcycles when I used to ride all winter.  Paint all exposed metal with a mix of grease and solvent.  Once the solvent dries off the metal is protected.  Might swap the hydro discs out for cable one. so I don't destroy a nice set of hopes. chain will be fine as its putolined.Maybe put the rigid fork back on it.

I can add Laig beach on Eigg and Kilmory beach on Rum to the above list.....
We did a swim a day tour last spring and while Sandwood was fabulous, those two were as good..

No ones mentioned Knockvologan on Mull, plus when the tides out you can cross to Erraid, basis for RL Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Great place for a swim or paddle board as there are little islets you can go around, see shoals of fish, seals and other wildlife.

Sanna on Ardnamurchan is nice with lots of rocky inlets, plus you can ride/push/carry a bike around to Portnaruirk and then across to the lighthouse at Ardnamurchan Point with a wee cafe.

We definitely need more pictures.

Uist

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Loch Avon?

There's some great inland beaches - Tombreck on Loch Tay, the southern end of Ericht, west shore of Loch Stack, the lighthouse on Ness's northern tip, then of course the over busy Morlich and Lochan Uaine(sp)...

What bits have I missed?

Orkney

Lochan na herba ( which I can never spell)

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Laig Beach

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Kilmory

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Tropical paradise by the sea..
By the way..
Ya Bullet.

😉

I’m glad the ones around Dumfries are not mentioned. We want to keep them quiet. Especially Sandyhills and Rockcliffe.

In the vacinity of Arisaig - Singing Sands with its weird acoustic sand - it 'sings' in certain wind conditions but also has a strange sound if you sort of scuff your feet as you walk on it.  Typically very quiet as you can't get near it by car but theres nice routes to approach  by MTB

The biggest inland beach at Loch Laggan.

Uig Sands on Lewis would give a lot of real estate to ride on at low tide with a stay and very convivial breakfast at Bal na Cille

Not a huge beach but some of the prettiest sand I've ever seen is at Melon Udrigle - as the tide is going out and its still wet it looks amazing. The cliftiops path to the south are absolutely thronging with solitary bees.

Traigh Iar on North Uist best beach I’ve ever seen.

Vatersay.

Lunan bay on the east coast not been mentioned

I have had very enjoyable fat bike tours taking in Sanday, Coll, Tiree (The circumnavigation is a very fine tour). The Moray coast from west of Nairn to Spey Bay is very good with the forests backing the beaches and the remoteness of the Culbin bars. Fraserburgh to Peterhead and Newburgh to Aberdeen give a good feel of remoteness and are very long. Good sci fi vibe when passing St Fergus, and climb the dunes at Meanie for a taste of Tr*mps dystopia.

Some East coast balance:
I don't know the area around the Ythan estuary at all well, along to Aberdeen but then-
Montrose and Lunan southwards to Fife, you'll take in several miles around the outside of Tentsmuir & St Andrews, then the Fife Coastal gets you along a whole heap of quiet and not so quiet beaches all the way to the Forth bridge. Elie beach for the cricket in front of the pub, anyone..?

If you like skimming stones (and who doesn't) Ardmair beach is brilliant. Also Easdale island.

Or the latest attraction at Elie beach, a converted horse box sauna - https://www.elieseasidesauna.com/# A glass side on it so everybody can see you sweating in your swimming costume...

My favorite beach in Fife is Cambo sands, grilled cheese toastie shack a must.

I've walked the entire east coast from the border to Dundee so no need to do that again.  Fab beaches tho

I thik I shall ignore the inland ones as well for simplicity.

Ta tho folks.

Cycling on Tiree is great.  30mph in one direction, 5mph and pedalling squares the other!

Yes, Culbin Forest from Nairn to Findhorn and the Moray Coast Trail from Findhorn to Cullen plus there’s lots of nice tracks through the forest if you get bored with the beach.

Achnahaird beach near Achiltibuie

The beaches on Harris are stunning and not crowded. Take a good wetsuit!

I also enjoyed Calgary (Mull) and Ostell Bay, which is far enough from the road to keep the numbers down. I cycled with the kids from Tighnabruich.

Can recommend the singing sands beach at Kentra, we seemed to arrive there by some off the beaten 'track' that nearly ended in a great peat sinkhole - but upside was that when we got to beach, it was at the far east end and simply beautiful. Don't know how to post pics but it's up there with the best.

The coral beaches at Culduie, just south of Applecross

What's made Achmelvich into a tourist trap? I can't imagine that it's been inundated by people selling tacky souvenirs but then I was last there in 2011 so perhaps it's all different now.

My parents have been having holidays there for the past few years (and back in the '80s when I was little too) and haven't mentioned it changing much. Except they were expressing concern that the static caravan site they use were putting up their prices due to receiving some big energy bill rises recently.

Also despite spending many summer holidays in the area I never realised that there was an actual Arisaig Beach! Which, according to Google is much closer to Morar than Arisaig. My holidays were at a camp site on the Back of Keppoch, there's some lovely beaches down there but they're all small (and the camp site I went to when I was young has now shut) so probably not so suitable for TJ's riding goals.

What’s made Achmelvich into a tourist trap?

Well, there's this thing called the NC500.

My favourite beach "at" Arising is Ben's Beach at Camusdarach.

What about Portobello beach? 😝

St Cyrus
Montrose
Lunan Bay

Crackaig Beach and Campsite, Sutherland.

😉

Ayr beach on the September Weekend?

Came on here to say Tiree but lots of others have already said it. Gott Bay for expansive views, Salum for seals, The Green for isolation, Balevullin for surfing and Hough Bay for otters.

Hynish pier a good spot for fishing from the shore (never failed to catch something there). Trip to the distillery worth it too (they do tours as well). And food at the Reef Inn is very good.

As you might have guessed I’ve spent a lot of time on the island over the years and can’t wait to go back (again).

riding on and between all Scotland's

This between bit.......all on your fat bike or are you allowed to cheat and use public transport too? If your 'all Scotland's' has them spread far and wide that could be some road miles on a fat bike. I know anything is possible and all that but I think that could do my head in. 99.9% of the trip's riding might be done on a very inappropriate bike so that the 0.01% is epic. I love my fatty(s) dearly but even the road rumble to the local woods is enough for me. I guess you'd be upping your pressures massively for the long (multi day) rides between the beaches which will help no end but still....

'Best' is always a bit subjective and unless it's your personal list might always feel like a woolly objective. How about Scotland's longest sandy beaches instead? That's where fat bike beach riding is so much fun. With maybe a compulsory camp on every beach ridden.

Glad my local beach Nairn made in onto the OP. I'm sure you know this already but the real magic there comes from riding from the Fisherman's Bothy to the West of Nairn all the way to Burghead with just the water taxi (and compulsory refreshment stop at the Captain's Table or Kimberly Inn) at Findhorn and a fiddle around marshes inside the old bar and Culbin Forest to break up an otherwise rather epic 35km of one way pristine sandy beach riding.

Don't forget the best mountain beach.

although you might want to avoid a bank holiday

In addition to the above… All of Colonsay’s beaches are nice. I like the Traigh Ban on the North east tip of the island. Other Traigh bans are available. Glen Batrick on Jura is lovely but off the beaten track a bit.

Crackaig 🤣

But only the SW end of it...

(BTW I hear that Crackaig might be up for sale as the owner is struggling financially)

St Andrews to Elie might be like the Lairig Ghru at bits where you on off on off constantly but a nice long walk although the grey North Sea is not a patch on the West coast
Arran see if you can circumnavigate it

Given the number of beaches mentioned it seems unlikely I will make it too them all.   So I'll be trying to make a sensible ( ha!) route with the most beach to road ratio

The aim is to go light and bikepacking style and perhaps spend a month at it.  600ish miles seems very doable.  I did 1000 miles a month last summer towing 18kg although mainly road / cycleways.

Aye - the fattie is a drag on road but I'm happy to bimble 35 miles a day.  Not much in the way of public transport in the highlands.  Distances are relatively short as well

Don’t forget the best mountain beach.

too close to Scotroutes 😉

You will be spoilt for choice Scotland has lots of wonderful beachs but you don't need a bike to explore them you need a sea kayak. Don't forget to go to Orkney and Shetland as there are many great beaches there. Just set off and follow your nose.

Crackaig 🤣

But only the SW end of it…

(BTW I hear that Crackaig might be up for sale as the owner is struggling financially)

He may have to expose all to a prospective new owner.

Will he be selling it at the bottom end of the market though?

As Pauly suggested, start on the East coast
Lunan Bay
Montrose
St Cyrus
could all be joined on to a Fife Coastal path start,North Queensferry to Broughty Ferry.
Discover the meaning of Fife 😆

North Coast - Reiss Sands, Dunnett, Thurso, Strathy, Reay, Torridale beach and loads more and all on the NC 500 route.....

Will he be selling it at the bottom end of the market though?

No idea, but I bet he applies for one of those beaver officer jobs.

Culbin Forest from Nairn to Findhorn and the Moray Coast Trail from Findhorn to Cullen plus there’s lots of nice tracks through the forest if you get bored with the beach.

I came here to say this, but its been mentioned a few times. I'll also never forget a trip to Iona. I was absolutely blown away by the white sands and turquoise waters, although the 327mph icy wind* did detract from the experience somewhat 😂 haven't got to visit any of the other islands other than Mull & Skye so far, but most are on my bucket list!!
*part of that statement may be exaggerated

Culbin Forest from Nairn to Findhorn and the Moray Coast Trail from Findhorn to Cullen plus there’s lots of nice tracks through the forest if you get bored with the beach.

It is ideal for most of us on STW:
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I’ll also never forget a trip to Iona. I was absolutely blown away by the white sands and turquoise waters

Sounds familiar:
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although the 327mph icy wind*

See also Crakaig - the naturism thing is probably an elaborate hoax. Wonderful campsite, hope we don't lose it.

Just browsing as I’m planning a trip over the border in May. Gigha is on the cards and Aran.

Araisaig is gorgeous.

Simisary beach is absolutely stunning, was little known but not so much now.

Berneray, between N Uist and Harris has a stonking bunkhouse with an endless unspoiled beach just to the west. The Harris west coast beaches are all good; Northton, Scarista etc. Luskentyre is the most popular due to the views to Taransay and much TV exposure but is huge and can take a few visitors. Huishnish is fine but there's a smaller, harder to reach, one a mile north of there that's unspoiled and has views to Scarp. Lewis has quite a few belters, mostly on the west side but Traigh Mhor at North Tolsta faces NE and is less exposed.

I think some of these would be great for riding a bike on e.g. Berneray west coast and others would be great to visit on a bike e.g. Tràigh-stir near Hosta (N Uist),   There's a difference

On the Outer Hebrides, the fat bike would be nice for easy paths and tracks and for when the paths run out e.g. I reckon you could do a fair bit of Cladach Chairinis to Eabhal walking route after a dry spell on a fat bike

Kiloran Bay and The Strand on Colonsay are worth a visit.
and Machir Bay is awesome, followed by a visit to the Kilchoman whiskey place.

Gearaidh beach at Tolsta Lewis.

Ardtoe in Moidart.

May. Gigha is on the cards

I've just been chatting to Mrs_oab about the Coronation weekend - and a tent on Gigha, weather dependent...

Lunan bay on the east coast not been mentioned

St Cyrus whilst your there. Go and see Steptoe…

Berneray, between N Uist and Harris has a stonking bunkhouse with an endless unspoiled beach just to the west.

It's a good one.

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For a bit of variety - the coral beach near Dunvegan