Scotland's beaches are amazing (with one tiny caveat) – Scotsman comment

From the Silver Sands of Morar and the turquoise sea off Luskentyre on Harris to Gullane Bents in East Lothian and the famous expanse of St Andrews’ West Sands, Scotland has some truly beautiful beaches.

The Silver Sands of Morar offers stunning views, particularly at sunset, over to Eigg and Rum (Picture: Norrie Adamson/geograph.org)

Normally the internet seems to prefer its lists to be of the “top ten” variety, but there were so many candidates for inclusion that Lonely Planet decided to highlight the top 18 beaches in Scotland

Given the understandably subjective nature of such things, there may be howls of outrage about favourites missing from the list – or perhaps not. The best beaches are often the ones that only we and a few others know about. So if there is outrage, perhaps it will be over inclusion, not omission.

However, for those planning a staycation, there are surely more than enough options to choose from.

A Scottish beach holiday can offer so much more than a typical sun, sea and sand affair. In addition to providing opportunities for sandcastles and barefoot football, many are close to stunning mountain scenery, historic castles and the like.

If The Scotsman was what used to be called the Scottish Tourist Board, we might end things roughly about there. However, there is one thing we feel we probably should mention when extolling the virtues of our most lovely beaches. The water temperature. If truth be told, it may not be quite to everyone’s liking.

There are hardy souls who find Skegness is not “so bracing” after all and prefer to be braced a bit more, but for those used to the pleasant temperatures of the Mediterranean, toes may recoil. Wetsuits and shivery bites might help.

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