In pictures: Scotland's best beaches

Forget the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, Scotland has incredible white sand beaches scattered around its coastline, rivalling any found around the world

(Picture: TSPL). Eoligarry, Isle of Barra: Ideal for walks and picnics, this white shell sand beach can be found near the most northerly point on the Isle Of Barra. The magnificent sandy beach is backed by dunes and the sands connect the rocky northern part of Barra, in the southern Outer Hebrides to the rocks of Ben Eoligarry Mór.

Some are so picture-perfect they could be mistaken for far flung tropical locations like the Maldives, Hawaii or Mauritius...although the temperatures may differ ever so slightly!