Big Sand named as top seaside hotspot in Times 'best beaches guide'
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A WESTER Ross seaside location has been named as Scotland's "Beach of the Year", according to the Sunday Times annual best beaches guide, published on July 3.
Big Sand, in Gairloch, took the top accolade in Scotland, recognised as the nation's number one seaside hotspot amongst a list of the UK’s top fifty best beaches.
Aiming to highlight the "world-beating magnificence" of the seaside, the review rates beaches based on their scenery and setting, as well as their local amenities such as car parking, toilets, refreshments, shops and accommodation.
Nine of the guide's fifty best beaches are located in Scotland. There were further Highland credits for Embo beach in east Sutherland, Vestey's at Achmelich in north west Sutherland and Farr Bay near Thurso.
Best beaches in Scotland
Scotland winner - Big Sand, Highland
Sanna, Ardnamurchan
Rockcliffe, Dumfries and Galloway
Vestey's, Highland
Farr Bay, Highland
Embo, Highland
Roseisle, Moray
Lunan Bay, Angus
Yellowcraig, Lothian
Chris Haslam, the paper's chief travel writer, chose the top fifty out of more than 800 beaches he visited around the UK’s coast.
Mr Haslam said: "This has been the 15th circumnavigation of the British coast for me. Over eight weeks I've seen sunrises and sunsets, sand and shingle, surfed with dolphins and kayaked with seals.
"We've navigated canyon-like lanes to empty coves, queued to get onto urban hotspots, and in one case swam through a tunnel to reach an otherwise inaccessible bay.
"This is the most comprehensive and detailed beach guide available and it proves that, when the sun is shining, our beaches are the most beautiful on earth."
