Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris has been named the 11th best beach in the world by Big 7 Travel, beating out hotspots in Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius and Thailand. The Scottish spot is renowned for its unspoiled white sands and turquoise waters, which are often compared to the Maldives by visitors.
Why Luskentyre Made the List
The team behind the study explained: "Found on the Isle of Harris off the northwest coast of Scotland, Luskentyre Beach looks like it has been plucked right out of the Caribbean and placed on the Scottish coastline. The white sands and turquoise waters make it hard to believe that you’re closer to Norway than Cornwall, although the rugged mountain backdrop does create an iconic Highland look. On a hot summer’s day, it’s easy to forget that you’re off the coast of northwest Scotland."
It is not a complete surprise to see Luskentyre on the list, given that it regularly features in rankings of this nature. Just last month it was named one of Europe's best beaches, and it is currently sitting at number 17 in TripAdvisor's rankings of the UK's best beaches, based on reviews from visitors.
Remote Location Keeps Crowds Away
While the beach has been garnering increased attention, its remote location on the Isle of Harris means it is not yet being overrun with tourist crowds year-round. The waters are not often warm enough to comfortably swim in, and visitors are strongly advised to pack a swimsuit if they want to have a paddle. Rather than sunseekers, hikers and birdwatchers head to the island, where sandy dunes and rocky cliffs provide spectacular scenery and a haven for a variety of birds.
The clear waters could be something out of a storybook, making the appeal easy to see. One person wrote on Tripadvisor: "We were so lucky to visit when the weather was beautiful and spent happy hours paddle boarding swimming and walking and just taking in the views and watching the seals - up there with the most beautiful beaches have seen we absolutely loved it - the colour of the water is stunning and it’s so clear - loved it!"
Another added: "Visited a good few times while staying in Tarbert for a week. The weather was poor the whole week but it did not detract from the beauty of this beach. We hardly saw another person every time we visited. We got lots of fabulous photos of it. It was perfection. So clean and white with lots of little shells dotted about."
