Scotland's Best Beaches Named by The Sunday Times: Full List of 8 Bays

The Sunday Times has released its 18th annual list of the 50 Best UK Beaches, featuring eight Scottish beaches after five weeks of research and visits to 607 beaches across Britain and Northern Ireland by travel guide Chris Haslam. The list, published on July 6, 2026, considered factors such as cleanliness, parking, safety, dog-friendliness, and water quality.

Balnakeil Beach: A Quiet Gem on the North Coast 500

Balnakeil Beach, also known as Balnakeil Bay, in the Scottish Highlands near Durness, is praised for its unspoilt beauty and tranquility. The beach features white sand backed by tall sand dunes covered in marram grass. The Sunday Times highlighted it as one of the quieter beaches along the North Coast 500, noting the mysterious ruins of Balnakeil Church. The newspaper wrote: "Such is the popularity of the North Coast 500 road trip that it’s become hard to find the solitude that once made the beaches of Sutherland so special. Balnakeil’s still got the silence though—and the secrets. The skull and crossbones on the wall of the ruined church marks the tomb of Domhnall Mac Murchaidh: 17th-century hitman for the Clan Mackay."

St Cyrus Beach: A Biodiversity Hotspot

St Cyrus Beach, located within the St Cyrus National Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire, is recognized for its environmental diversity. The reserve is known for stunning wildflowers and a rich ecosystem. The Sunday Times noted: "The St Cyrus National Nature Reserve lies at the top end of five miles of sand running from Montrose to the striped cliffs of Milton Ness. The dune belt here is one of the most botanically diverse habitats in the UK, with 328 plant species, 160 varieties of bird, and 548 insects. These riches are due to what stands behind: the 375-million-year-old cliffs of lava known as the Heughs of St Cyrus. They shelter the bents below, creating a microclimate that’s more Mediterranean than Aberdonian. Not impressed yet? Go to the north end, where the Woodston Burn waterfall plunges to the beach beside the ruins of a bothy."

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Horgabost: A Peaceful Outer Hebrides Retreat

Horgabost Beach on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides is included for its quieter alternative to the nearby Luskentyre Beach. The Sunday Times praised its beachside camping field with picturesque water views and the Talla na Mara Community Café, which serves coffees, teas, and homemade baked goods.

Other Scottish Beaches on the List

Additional Scottish beaches named among the UK's best include Gullane Bents in East Lothian, Castle Sands in Fife, Findhorn in Moray, Kearvaig Bay in the Scottish Highlands, and Clachan Sands in the Outer Hebrides.