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Yet another heatwave is currently roasting much of the UK. Which means one thing: time to head to the beach.
Whether you’re lucky enough to be on summer holidays when the temperature rises or planning a last-minute heatwave getaway (we don’t blame you), the UK isn’t short of beautiful coastline to explore. From quaint coastal towns to breathtaking remote landscapes, us Brits are pretty spoiled with the 1,500 beaches that line our coast.
Need help picking the destination for your next beach trip? Look no further than Time Out’s guide to the 40 best beaches in the UK, compiled by our very own writers and editors.
In the updated 2026 edition of Time Out’s guide, the title of ‘Scotland’s best beach’ was awarded to Camusdarach Beach. The coastal spot, which is between Arisaig and Mallaig on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, placed fourth overall in the top 40.
When you step onto Camusdarach Beach, you’re greeted with heavenly white sand, crystal-clear water that is perfect for swimming and panoramic views across the rugged Scottish coastline. When evening comes, expect awe-inspiring sunsets that are worthy of a film set.
In fact, Camusdarach Beach is so dreamy that it’s been used in a lot of films. Movie buffs might recognise the breathtaking landscape as the filming location for ‘Ben’s Beach’ in the cult-classic Scottish film Local Hero. It was also used as a filming location in Highlander and has a magical connection to Harry Potter series (more on that later).
In the words of Time Out’s deputy editor Chiara Wilkinson, who was born and raised in Scotland, this ‘rugged coastline boasts one of the cleanest beaches on the western coast’ featuring ‘a crescent of pillow-soft white sand hugged by clear-blue waters and framed by dramatic, jagged rocks’.
One of the best parts about Camusdarach Beach are the breathtaking views of the Inner Hebrides. On a clear day, you can see the craggy crest of the Cuillin mountain range on the Isle of Skye, the volcanic peaks of the Isle of Rum and the Isle of Eigg’s steep sea cliffs. It’s no wonder that The Camusdarach Beach Walk is popular with hikers. The easy 2.25 mile circular route starts and ends in the beach car park, taking you across a footbridge and through sand dunes with panoramic views of the peaks.
Despite its wild and remote feel, Camusdarach Beach is pretty accessible for those exploring the West Highlands. It is about an eight-minute drive from the nearby town of Morar and roughly 40 miles (about a 70-minute drive) from Fort William.
By car is generally the best way to access Camusdarach Beach. There’s free parking, and the sand is just a five-minute walk from the car park. If you’re traveling by train, you can get off at Morar station and walk 4.5km to the beach.
As you may expect with relatively untouched beaches, there are not a lot of facilities on offer. Chiara recommends coming armed with a picnic so you can make the most of the day. However, nearby Morar offers plenty of cafés, restaurants and hotels if you need a pit stop.
It’s not just dreamy white sands on offer. If you drive a bit further north to Mallaig, you can take a trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, better known as the legendary Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter. Yes that’s right, you can end a day at the beach by living out your Hogwarts fantasy, trolley and all.
🏖️ The best beaches in the UK (updated for 2026).
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