What better way to cheer up January than with some pictures of the fantastic Scottish beaches we visited on our summer holiday last year. I’ve already written posts covering the days we spent on the Isle of Eigg and in Fort William. Now it’s time to reminisce over the beaches we visited near Morar and Arisaig, two small villages on the west coast of Scotland.
The Silver Sands of Morar
After travelling to Fort William on the overnight Caledonian Sleeper we hired a car to drive to Mallaig. We broke our journey near here, staying for a couple of nights in a B&B overlooking the Silver Sands of Morar.
The Silver Sands are aptly named. Even in heavy rain (as we can testify) the beach looks more akin to a Caribbean island. Although, as you’ll notice from our jumpers and jackets in the photographs below, the temperature is certainly not Caribbean. I’m pretty sure there are no midges in Barbados either!
White sand beaches stretch from Morar to Arisaig and are easily accessible from the road that winds alongside them for most of the way. Although beware of the golf course near Arisaig; a low flying golf ball almost hit us whilst we were parking in a layby.
It was only a short walk from our accommodation to the beach. Whilst I checked out the views the kids were happy to find the tree swing in the photo above. Possibly the most scenic tree swing in Scotland?
Port na Murrach beach, near Arisaig
This beach takes a little getting to but you can near enough guarantee you’ll be the only visitors. At least that was our experience on a sunny August day.
From Arisaig we took the single track road around to Rhu and parked in the layby near the old pier. From there it was a straightforward out and back route, following the instructions on the excellent Walk Highlands website. It’s only a mile or so to the beach, along farm tracks and through a boggy field.
The beach offers plenty of shells to sort through, rocks to clamber over and scenery to admire. The kids found a dead jellyfish which kept them captivated for ages. The water was freezing though, or maybe we’re just soft southerners?
Our walk back was made more exciting by the presence of a huge black bull, standing next to the gate, in a field that we had to cross. Fortunately he turned out to be a docile beast but my heart was in my mouth for a few moments. I’m not sure where he was on our walk down but if he’d been in the same place I don’t think we’d have made it to the beach!
Camusdarach Beach, near Arisaig
Camusdarach regularly appears in lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches. It’s a few miles south of Morar and forms part of the string of Silver Sands beaches. We parked in the public car park just north of Camusdarach campsite and then wound our way down to the beach through the dunes.
This beach was a little busier than the others we visited. It may look empty in the photos but when you’re used to seeing no-one it’s a shock to see other people. It’s popularity (ooh, there were at least 5 other people) is probably down to the nearby campsite.
We wandered along the beach from one cove to the next for a good hour, enjoying the views out to the Small Isles and exploring the rock pools. I definitely recommend a visit at low tide so that you get the full beach experience. There are also supposed to be otters but sadly we didn’t see any sign of them.
I hope these beach photos have cheered you up; it will be summer again before we know it so time to start planning holidays.
These places look lovely! Great photos
We have saved visiting many of the lovely Scottish beaches for when we have a family and spent as much of our youthful holidays abroad. Now that we have BookBairn I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter in our holiday adventures around the beauty of Scotland. It helps that we live near my favourite beach in St Andrews and can go on day trips! #sundaystars
just beautiful – am packing the car up, packing a picnic and going! definitely on my to visit list for 2016 – thank you for sharing. Happy Sunday #sundaystars
I had to click when I saw your post on #MondayEscapes. Scottish beaches? Brrrrr. But so very lovely. Thanks for sharing your pretty pictures!
Rhu beach looks like a cool little spot to waist the day away.
Gorgeous beaches! I will like to explore them all.
Wow, these beaches look gorgeous, especially Rhu. #mondayescapes
Thanks Corey.
I love the fact that a beach with five people is crowded! I much prefer quieter beaches to busy ones, even if there’s no chance of buying an ice cream. My two children might be a little freaked out by the bull though….
I was pretty freaked out by the bull, let alone the kids!
Gorgeous photos! I don’t normally think of Scotland for its beaches so I enjoyed getting a look at some of them. That one in Rhu looks just amazing, which makes it crazy and magical that you had those views to yourself 🙂
Thanks Sara. The west coast of Scotland has fabulous beaches (I’m sure the east coast may have too but I’ve never visited them).
That was a warming bit of sunshine on a dull day here in Devon. What a beautiful collection of beaches. I love the coastline and have just started writing about some of the beaches near us. Lovely post! #MondayEscapes
We live right in the centre of the UK so visiting the beach is a treat for us. However, I used to live near the beach in Devon so am rather envious of you!
You’ve definitely cheered me up so mission accomplished! These beaches look absolutely stunning. I’d love to visit. #mondayescapes
Glad you enjoyed them Clare.
Yes it was Camusdarach Beach that did it for me, beautiful. There is something about being on a beach this time of year that is so peaceful. Of course having the weather is preferred, but it can’t always be done! #mondayescapes
Thanks Stephanie. I’ve rarely come across a busy beach in Scotland, even when the sun is shining.
Beautiful beaches! I’ve spent four days in Scotland, many years ago, but I’d love to return and explore more.
Thanks Karen. Hope you get to visit again one day.
These beaches look absolutely stunning. I adore Scotland but I have only ever really been to the big cities. I would absolutely love to go on holiday to the more remote areas and especially if there are beautiful seaside vistas like this to see. I may have a few ideas for our next holiday location now. Thanks so much for linking up to #SundayStars. Hugs Lucy xxxx
I’ve enjoyed visiting the Scottish cities but much prefer the coast and countryside. I can highly recommend as a holiday destination as long as you’re prepared for all weathers.
These are stunning! I had heard of Camusdarach but hadn’t realised it was part of a chain. Shame about the midges! But it looks worth it.
The whole stretch of coastline around Morar and Arisaig has beautiful beaches. It’s hard to choose a favourite!
These look beautiful. I’d love to visit Scotland one day. Hopefully one day soon! #mondayescapes
Thanks Jess, it’s a beautiful country, even when it rains….
Hi Christine, really lovely photos. I can’t imagine having to look out for low flying golf balls, from the photos it doesn’t look like there is anything nearby for miles.
It’s nice when one of the simple pleasures in life is having a beach to ourselves. In the winter if I see more than a couple of people on the beach (could be miles away) it feels crowded.
There is no way you would have got me in a field with a bull close by, maybe if it was on the other side of the field and asleep I’d take my chances.
xx
The golf ball was rather surprising. Just glad it didn’t hit one of us or the car as it could have caused quite a lot of damage.
Love that – there were at least 5 people 🙂 I’ve always wanted to visit the beaches of the West Coast of Scotland . They’re simply stunning and I will be keeping your list for when I eventually to get to them! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
We were rather put out that other people were enjoying ‘our’ beach 🙂
Great Post
Thanks for this. Heading up there this week and hoping to make it to Camusdarach Beach. It’s ‘busier than the others’ because it was made famous in the cult film Local Hero, which I love. It’s a sort of must-visit place for fans and if you haven’t seen the movie, do. Although not if you like rabbits 🙂
I’m on rail or bus so I may try to walk it from Morar station on the old main road.