There is a saying in Scotland that ‘west is best’ and yes, there’s something truly magical about Scotland’s west coast – where the sea stretches on forever, the beaches are some of the best in the world and the seafood is truly to die for.
From the north to the south, here are my favourite places to visit on the west coast of Scotland.
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1. Oldshoremore (Am Meallan)
Located by Kinlochbervie, Am Meallan, otherwise known as Oldshoremore, is probably my favourite beach in Scotland. A beautifully quiet bay, with white sands and turquoise seas – Oldshoremore is quintessentially west coast of Scotland.
Part of the Sandwood Estate owned by the John Muir Trust, the beach is a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its rich and beautiful machair habitat. The beach is accessible via a footpath from a nearby car park, which offers toilet facilities. A rocky peninsula, Eilean na h-Aiteig, separates it from neighbouring Polin Beach.
A long walk from Oldshoremore leads to Sandwood Bay, one of Scotland’s most iconic and remote beaches. It’s a four-mile trek across moorland, but the reward is spectacular: pink sand, sea stacks, and Atlantic waves. Oldshoremore is about as wild and peaceful as the West Coast of Scotland gets.
Stay at: Oldshoremore Croft Cabins, this lovely eco cabin, stay on a croft at the dog friendly Aisir Croft Cottage. Or stay at the family friendly Munro House or Beach View.
2. Handa Island
Just off the remote north-west coast of Scotland lies Handa, one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands and a nationally important wildlife reserve.
Owned by the Scourie Estate and managed in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Handa is a breeding ground for over 200 pairs of Puffins, Skuas, Kittiwakes and Guillemots – and just a few lucky rangers and volunteers housed in a bothy to protect their island home.
Despite being protected by all manner of wildlife acronyms (Handa is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area) you can visit the island by crossing the Sound of Handa by boat from the tiny hamlet of Tarbet.
The Handa Island ferry departs from the tiny settlement of Tarbet, 10 minutes north of Scourie down a single track road. The ferry is a modern passenger RIB which takes up to 12 people at a time.
Read more: how to visit Handa Island
Stay here: there is no accomodation on the island, but you can stay nearby at The Croft, Handa Island Pod or Tighlochan Pods, or the well regarded Eddrachilles Hotel.
3. Kylesku
Kylesku is a remote hamlet which sits at the meeting of three lochs – the sea loch Loch a Chairn Bhain and Loch Glencoul and Loch Gleann Dubh – and passed through by the popular North Coast 500.
Once reliant on a free ferry service, the Kylesku Bridge was opened in 1984 – the bridge is a gorgeously curved structure loved for its design and setting. Take a boat trip to Eas a’ Chual Aluinn, the UK’s tallest waterfall with North West Sea Tours. Hlilwalkers head to the magnificent Quinag and the surrounding Assynt hills.
Stay at: the Kylesku Hotel known for its local seafood or the nearby Newton Lodge which offers fine dining for residents.
4. Lochinver & Assynt
Lochinver might be small but it is a lively place as a small village on the west coast of Scotland gets with a busy harbour, a legendary pie shop, and views of the mighty Suilven mountain.
Assynt’s landscape is otherworldly with hills rising abruptly from moor and loch, and the light changes by the minute. It’s a walker’s paradise, a photographer’s dream and home to some of the world’s best beaches at Achmelvich and Clachtoll – and one of my favourite places in the world.
Nearby The Knockan Crag is a site of special scientific interest famous for the Highland’s Controversy – a long-running argument between geologists about the age of the rocks here – otherwise known as the Moine Thrust – when two continents slammed together upending the landscape of Assynt.
There is a visitor centre for those interested to find out just why the debate over Knockan Crag was so bitter in the 19th and a walking trail around Knockan Crag for those just wishing to take in the incredible views.
Read more: things to in Lochinver and Assynt
Stay at: the two bed Kirkaig Lodge, the fabulous Inver Lodge, Ardmore House B&B, Achmelvich View self catering or Coillessan Lodge.
5. Ullapool
On the shores of Loch Broom, Ullapool was once a busy fishing port, it’s now a gateway to the far north and the Outer hebrides and a great base for exploring Assynt, the Summer Isles, and beyond. Two of my favourite peaks – Stac Pollaidh and Suilven are on your doorstep.
At the entrance to Loch Broom is Rhue Lighthouse which has lovely views to the Summer Isles and to Ben More Coigach, a great place to watch one of the West Coast of Scotland’s famous sunsets.
Ullapool offers up music, arts, and incredible food – don’t miss the famous Seafood Shack and a visit to the Ceilidh Place and then grab a pint and sit on the wall outside the Arch Inn overlooking the loch.
Read more: how to visit Ullapool
Stay at: Harbour House, The Royal Hotel, Clachan Garden B&B, for glamping try Highland Bothies, or stay at Ullapool Campsite. There is also a hostel in Ullapool. For luxury accommodation in Ullapool – check out the amazing Stone Houses. For self catering – Fisherman’s Cottage, Ullapool a cute 3 bed self-catering cottage or Harbour House.
6. Gairloch
Sitting on the spectacular Loch Gairloch, the village of Gairloch popular spot to make your base for exploring the wilds of Wester Ross. Offering up wildlife tours to spot otters, seabirds and even dolphins and sharks, Gairloch also has some of the world’s best beaches – visit Red Point with its beautiful red sands and Big Sands for views across to Raasay and Skye.
Nearby walk the spectacular Corrieshalloch Gorge, through which the River Droma falls through a series of waterfalls, including the huge 45 m Falls of Measach.
Don’t miss a trip to the spectacular Inverewe Garden and Estate at Poolewe, one of Scotland’s most beautiful gardens. Inverewe House has recently been opened to the public for the first time in its history and gives visitors a snapshot of 1930s life in a Scottish estate.
Read more: How to visit Wester Ross
Stay at: the Gairloch Hotel or the Myrtle Bank Hotel, for self catering stay at Port House or Ach-Na-Clachan or Morlich.
7. Applecross
Applecross is a peninsula in the northwest Highlands of Scotland. Home to the popular Applecross Inn, known for its seafood, the drive over onto the peninsula is legendary: the Bealach na Bà rises steeply from sea level to over 2,000 feet, with hairpin bends and heart-stopping views. Nearby, the Applecross Walled Garden also offers lovely lunches.
A visit to Applecross might be all about the drive, but make sure you don’t miss a walk along the path from Applecross Bay to Applecross Sands, which provides views across the water towards the Isle of Raasay. If you don’t fancy the drive back over the Bealach Na Ba, the coastal road north of Applecross leads to Shieldaig,
Read more: a stay at the Applecross Inn
8. Plockton
The pretty village of Plockton sits on the shores of Loch Carron as it makes its way out to the Isle of Skye. With a sheltered position, Plockton has such a mild climate palm trees to prosper on the waterfront. O
nce famous for its herd of free ranging Highland Coos, the village is now a destination for foodies dining at the Plockton Hotel (Wester Ross & Highland’s Camra pub of the year) which serves a great pint and The Plockton Inn which is renowned for its seafood – making Plockton one of the best towns in Scotland for a weekend break.
Make it a weekend: Stay in Plockton at The Plockton Inn, or at the Haven Guest House, the Duirinish Pods with hot tubs or self catering at 24 Harbour Street. If you fancy staying in a castle near Plockton, why not check out Duncraig Castle.
9. Glenelg
Over the sea from Skye sits the tiny hamlet of Glenelg. Reached by the dramatic Mam Ratagan Pass, the journey alone from Shiel Bridge is worth the trip.There are two viewpoints on the pass – the view over Loch Duich to the Five Sisters of Kintail is one of Scotland’s best.
The village is home to three ancient brochs, Dun Telve, Dun Troddan and Dun Grugaig and slightly more modern but still characterful, the last hand operated turntable ferry in the world that still takes cars across the water to Skye.
One of the most beautiful spots on the peninsula is Sandaig Bay, which was once home to Scottish Naturalist Gavin Maxwell who lived there with his otters Mijbil, Edal, Teko, Mossy and Monday at Camusfearna was made into a film in 1969.
Stop at the friendly Glenelg Inn for lunch.
Read more: a visit to Glenelg
Stay at: the incredible tree tent highland hangout, Ratagan Youth Hostel, for self catering stay at Roddy’s Cottage, Seaview or Skye View or Rams Cottage, or for B&B, Kirkton Bay House Bed and Breakfast.
10. Loch Hourn & Knoydart
Loch Hourn cuts deep into the wilds of the west coast, a sea loch very much like a Scottish fjord. It leads to Knoydart, one of the most remote places in Britain, accessible only by boat or foot.
In Gaelic, the loch is Loch Subhairne, which can be translated as Loch Hell – and you might feel like it is after tackling the long drive down the 22 hair-raising miles of road to get to it.
From the tiny hamlet of Kinlich Hourne you can hike out along the loch to Barrisdale Bay before descending to the village of Inverie and the Old Forge, the UK’s most remote pub.
The full route out to Inverie is 15 miles, with most people stopping at Barisdale for the night on the way out and back, or in summer a boat will run you out to Barrisdale, or you can catch the passenger ferry from Mallaig.
Read more: a visit to Loch Hourne and Kyoydart
Stay at: Lochhournhead B&B & Tea Room which is located in the hamlet of Kinloch Hourne itself, further afield stay at The Cluanie Inn, Sheenas Butnben, or Kintail Lodge Hotel.
11. Ardnamurchan
Ardnamurchan feels like the edge of the world. Scotland’s most westerly point, it’s reached by single-track roads that snake alongside sea lochs, across volcanic moorland and ancient forest before arriving at the ‘headland of the great seas’ battered by Atlantic waves.
At Ardnamurchan Point, a lighthouse marks the western edge of Scotland. One of my favourite beaches in the world, Sanna Bay, is just up the road and has incredible views of the dramatic An Sgurr and Rum Cullin – and white sands and turquoise waters.
The peninsula is home to two distilleries, the Ardnamurchan Distillery which is one of my favourite drams and Nc’Nean is organic and female owned and run. Further afield is Castle Tioram which sits on its own tidal island and Glenfinnan and the Jacobite Express travel to Mallaig from Fort William just to the north.
Read more: how to visit Ardnamurchan
Stay at: Dondie’s House, Kilchoan, Volcano Cabins, the wonderful Mingary Castle – Restaurant with Rooms, a grass roofed cottage in Acharacle, Birch and Oak Lodges.
12. Crinan
Known as Britain’s most beautiful shortcut, the Crinan Canal meanders for nine miles linking Loch Fyne to the Atlantic, where at its end is the tiny village of Crinan sitting on the sound of Jura.
The canal was opened in 1908 to provide a fast route across Scotland from Glasgow to Oban, bypassing the route around the often dangerous Mull of Kintyre. The fastest route from Glasgow to the Highlands of Scotland used to be taking a Clyde Puffer from Crinan up Loch Linnhe to Fort William where you would join the Caledonian Canal to Inverness!
The village of Crinan might be just a cluster of cottages around the sea lock – but what a pretty one. With views to Duntrune Castle, walk the Castle Dounie circular for the best views of the Sound of Jura.
> Read more: How to visit Crinan
> Stay at: The Crinan Hotel which is located in the village of Crinan or go self catering at Winterton, or Printmakers Cottage.
13. The Mull of Kintyre
Immortalised in Paul McCartney’s famous song, the Mull of Kintyre offers up a stunning coastline that separates the Atlantic from the Firth of Clyde.
The Mull of Kintyre is the springboard for trips to the Isles, notably to Islay and Jura, back east to Bute and across to Gigha. Kilmartin is rich in history and offers numerous historical sites. For archaeology buffs (and Outlander/standing stone fans) Kilmartin Museum and Glen is filled to the brim with cairns, monuments, and standing stones, and a great little museum.
Known as the “whisky capital of the world” as it was once home to over 30 distilleries, Campbeltown might now be home to just three, but Springbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle are well worth the long drive west for a dram. Outside of Campbeltown, the other main settlement is lovely little Tarbert with its harbour and castle perched up on the hill.
> Stay at The Ugdale Hotel in Machrihanish, Stonefield Castle Hotel in Tarbert or the Ashbank Hotel in Carradale.
14. The Rhinns of Galloway
At the southern tip of Scotland, The Rhinns of Galloway is a 25-mile peninsula, which stretches from Corsewall Lighthouse in the north to the Mull of Galloway in the south. Sparsely populated, the peninsula’s main towns are Stranraer on Loch Ryan and the pretty harbour town of Portpatrick – in between the landscape is filled with hundreds of coos.
Make sure you visit Logan Botanic Garden complete with palm trees, ferns, koi carp and even its own ruined castle, the garden is part of RBG Edinburgh and was also the set of the famously creepy movie, the Wicker Man. Logan also has a lovely cafe for lunch.
At Scotland’s most southerly point climb the 100 stairs to the top of the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, and watch the sea birds and dolphins from the RSPB reserve’s cameras.
> Read more – how to visit Dumfries and Galloway
> Stay at Corsewall Lighthouse and indulge your inner coastal geek by staying a real live working lighthouse, complete with quirky decor and a warm welcome.
Map of places to visit on the West Coast of Scotland
Here is where to visit on the west coast of Scotland.
Ready to go?
Love from Scotland x