Near Dwarwick Pier and Dunnet Head, Caithness, Highlands, Scotland

Peedie Sands

Beach

Place photograph

7.6

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Check

Cost

Secluded

Feel

CoastalWalkersPhotographersCouples

Why it's Wildland

7.6

A small northern beach where the final approach is over boulders and the sand opens up with the falling tide.

The reward here is scale and seclusion: a small pocket of sand near Dunnet Head, reached on foot rather than from a beachside car park. The rocky approach gives it a tucked-away feel, but makes tide planning and sure footing essential.

Secluded · Wild · Peaceful

Find your way

Open map

Near Dwarwick Pier and Dunnet Head, Caithness, Highlands, Scotland

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The experience

Start at Dwarwick Pier and follow the coastal path towards Peedie Sands. Keep well back from the cliff edge and assess the boulder approach before descending. In suitable low-tide conditions, spend time on the exposed sand before returning the same way. This is a shore visit, not a verified swimming or paddling recommendation.

Things to do

Walk in from Dwarwick Pier

Take the documented coastal approach to the beach. Allow for uneven footing and the final boulder clamber rather than treating this as an easy promenade.

About 20 minutes each way

See the bay with the tide out

Time the visit for exposed sand and take in the small bay from shore. Keep the return route and incoming tide in mind throughout.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · 1–2 hours suggested, subject to tides and conditions

Quick escape — the low-tide beach

01
Check local tides and weather before setting out; choose a calm daylight visit around low tide.
02
Start at Dwarwick Pier, where the local hotel guide identifies parking.
03
Follow the coastal path for approximately 20 minutes, staying away from cliff edges.
04
Assess the boulder clamber and turn back if it is slippery or unsafe. If conditions allow, descend to enjoy the exposed sand.
05
Return by the same approach with plenty of time before the tide affects access.

When to go

· Daylight around a suitable low tide, rather than a fixed hour.

The specific local guide recommends visiting when the tide is out; the supplied evidence establishes no best month.

Avoid storm surge and high tide, as flagged in the imported record. It also reports slippery ground and no phone signal. Check forecasts and tides in advance, carry an offline map and do not rely on being able to make a call from the beach.

Worth pairing with

Dunnet Head

A nearby geographical counterpoint to the tiny beach: the local guide identifies Dunnet Head as mainland Britain's most northerly point. Check access and conditions separately before adding it to the outing.

What to look for

Notice the contrast between the rocky approach and the small sandy bay, and how much of the beach the tide exposes.

Best time to go

Choose a calm, clear day with a suitable low tide; no particular seasonal peak is established.

Low tide is the key to seeing the sand. Choose daylight and calm conditions, check local tide times and leave enough time for the return before access is affected.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Photographers · Couples

Practical information

Opening & access

Mackays Hotel describes a coastal approach from Dwarwick Pier, taking about 20 minutes on foot, followed by a clamber over boulders. Visit at low tide, stay away from cliff edges and check conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

Car parking at Dwarwick Pier is described by Mackays Hotel. The beach is approximately 20 minutes away on foot; charges and capacity are not supplied.

Toilets

The imported record reports no facilities or nearby toilets. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

The imported record reports no nearby café or pub. Bring your own refreshments; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

The imported record marks the beach as dog-friendly, but supplies no rules. Check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The coastal approach ends with a clamber over boulders. The imported record describes a slippery descent and says the beach is not wheelchair accessible.

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Sea