Remote Scottish beach with pristine pink sands named best spot to avoid crowds this summer
A remote Highland beach has been named one of the best UK spots to escape the summer crowds
With warm weather on the way, Scotland's beaches are expected to be packed this weekend as families and sunseekers head for the coast. But for those looking to avoid the crowds and discover something truly special, one remote Highland beach is offering an unforgettable escape.
Sandwood Bay, tucked away in the far northwest of Scotland near Kinlochbervie, has been named one of the best places in the UK to dodge the summer rush, Scottish Daily Express reports.
Travel experts Simply Sea Views singled it out as an ideal destination for those seeking peace, space and a wild, dramatic landscape.
The beach is only accessible on foot via a four-mile walk from the nearest car park at Blairmore.
The route cuts through moorland, lochans and rolling hills, and while it may require effort, the reward is a breathtaking scene of pink-tinged sands, towering cliffs and crashing Atlantic waves.
'It's utterly remote, with no facilities and no phone signal – just you, the sea, and the sky,' said Simply Sea Views. 'The reward for taking on the hike is a pristine stretch of pale sand and dramatic waves.'
Stretching for a mile and a half, Sandwood Bay has been described by Undiscovered Scotland as 'the most magnificent beach in the UK'.
It is also believed to be the country's most remote beach, and even, according to local legend, the site of a mermaid encounter.
The scene is pure drama. Behind the beach, towering sand dunes roll down into the still waters of Sandwood Loch. In front, the full force of the Atlantic Ocean crashes against the shore, with the iconic sea stack of Am Buachaille rising from the waves.
TripAdvisor reviews are also full of awe. 'Of course, summer sun brings out all the gorgeous colours,' wrote one visitor, 'but strong winds and raging seas show you nature in all her mighty power too.'
Another added: 'I couldn't believe how quiet and secluded it was, it's an absolutely beautiful beach!'
Today, Sandwood Bay remains a haven for wildlife. Seals and dolphins are often seen just offshore, further adding to its otherworldly charm.
While there are no cafés, shops or restaurants nearby, hungry walkers can stop at the Old School Restaurant and Rooms on the way back, a converted schoolhouse that served the local community from 1879 to 1970 and now offers hearty meals and warm hospitality.
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For those wanting to stay longer, the nearby crofting community of Kinlochbervie offers a mix of guesthouses and glamping accommodation, with prices ranging from £90 to £150 per night.
The village is also home to a modern harbour and one of the largest fish-processing plants in the region.
With no phone signal, no crowds and no distractions, Sandwood Bay offers a rare kind of coastal escape, just sea, sky, and the raw beauty of the Scottish wilderness.
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