Scottish beaches are some of the most beautiful – and underrated – in the world. Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris, for instance, has previously been named in the top 10 best in Europe and appears in a new list published by Condé Nast Traveller magazine of the world’s top 34 beaches.
And, with a spotlight on staycations after everything that’s happened, many will be flocking to Scotland’s sandy coasts.
Here are the Scottish beaches included on the list compiled by Conde Nast and some of those with the highest number of searches on Google, as curated by holiday search engine Holidu.
9. Coldingham Bay
Found in the Scottish Borders, Coldingham Bay is 1km long and is made up of clean sand and plenty of grassy areas behind the beach, perfect for relaxing and soaking up the sunshine. Kids will enjoy a day spotting hermit crabs in the rock pools (3,600 searches) Photo: Nigel Swales via Flickr
10. Pease Bay
Also found in the Scottish Borders, Pease Bay is a notable surfing holiday destination in Scotland and is ideally located with the Berwickshire coastline - only a short drive from Edinburgh and also within easy reach of North East England (3,600 searches) Photo: sonder3 via Flickr
11. UIG Sands Isle of Lewis famous for the Lewis chessmen taken at Carnish in the area of UIG
Uig Sands sits around an inlet on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, with the name derived from the Norse word for “bay”. Also known as Ardroil beach, an enormous stretch of beach is revealed at Uig Sands at low tide. Conde Nast Traveller has rated the beach at No.30 in its list of world's top beaches, saying in its review: “Lying some 20 miles west of Stornoway on Lewis’s surf-battered Atlantic coast, this is a big, dramatic beach watched over by tussocky dunes and grizzled mountains" Photo: Kevin Agg
12. An overhead view of an inlet on the island of Yell in the North Isles, part of the Shetland Islands, north of the Scottish Mainland on September 9, 2021. - In the far north of the United Kingdom, where the wind blows and the sea rages, the islands of Orkney and Shetland have long relied on oil and gas for prosperity. But as supplies dwindle and the fight against climate change becomes more urgent, the islands off the northeast coast of Scotland are increasingly turning to renewables. (Photo by William EDWARDS / AFP) (Photo by WILLIAM EDWARDS/AFP via Getty Images)
The island of Yell in Shetland, where Brekon beach is situated, having come in at No.3 in the rankings for Conde Nast Traveller magazine's best beaches from around the world. The magazine says of Brekon: “Wedged between two vivid emerald slabs of green pasture, Brekon is somewhat sheltered from the south-westerly winds that roll through these lands. That said, you’ll want to manifest pretty balmy temperatures to brave the often icy waters. It’s a beautiful spot with clear waters and perfectly powdery sands" Photo: WILLIAM EDWARDS