Sandwood Bay, near Blairmore and Kinlochbervie, Sutherland, Scottish Highlands
Sandwood Bay Beach
Beach
Place photograph
8.4
Wildland
Half day
Time
Check
Cost
Wild
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.4A long, remote sweep of sand beneath great dunes, with the sea stack Am Buachaille standing offshore and freshwater Sandwood Loch behind the dunes.
Sandwood Bay earns its place for the journey as much as the shore: an exposed walk across open country leads to a vast beach framed by dunes, with a sea stack and freshwater loch giving the arrival a real sense of discovery.
Wild · Remote · Dramatic · Secluded
Find your way
Open mapSandwood Bay, near Blairmore and Kinlochbervie, Sutherland, Scottish Highlands
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The experience
Plan this as a substantial walk rather than a quick roadside stop. From Blairmore, follow the route across open moorland to the beach, explore the shoreline and dunes, and leave enough time and energy for the return journey. Check weather and conditions before setting out.
Things to do
Walk across the moorland to Sandwood Bay
Follow the route from Blairmore across exposed moorland to the beach. One supplied account describes the outward walk as about four miles (around 7 km).
About two hours each way, according to the supplied account; conditions may affect timing.
Walk the beach and look for Am Buachaille
Explore the sandy shoreline and look offshore for the prominent sea stack named Am Buachaille.
Find Sandwood Loch behind the dunes
Look inland from the beach towards the freshwater loch tucked behind the dunes.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow several hours; the supplied source describes the outward walk as about four miles and a couple of hours, plus the return.
The walk to the bay and back
- 01
Start at the Blairmore car park and follow the route across exposed moorland.
- 02
Reach the beach and take time to walk the shoreline and view Am Buachaille.
- 03
Look back towards the dunes and Sandwood Loch before returning to Blairmore.
Half day · Half day; allow for the return walk and time at the beach.
Make a half day of the coast
- 01
Set out from Blairmore with enough time for the reported four-mile outward walk and return.
- 02
Explore the length of the sandy shore and look for the sea stack Am Buachaille.
- 03
Take in the freshwater Sandwood Loch behind the dunes, then retrace the route to Blairmore.
Hidden details
The freshwater loch behind the dunes — Sandwood Loch sits behind the dunes, an inland counterpart to the open sea at the edge of the beach.
Am Buachaille offshore — Look out from the shore for the dramatic sea stack Am Buachaille, a distinctive feature of the bay.
When to go
· Check forecast and local conditions before setting out; no specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not establish seasonal highlights or a best visiting season.
The access route crosses exposed moorland. Check the forecast and local conditions before setting out.
What to look for
Look offshore for the sea stack Am Buachaille, then turn inland to spot freshwater Sandwood Loch behind the dunes. Notice how the open moorland approach gives way to the broad beach and dune-backed shore.
Best time to go
Check local conditions before setting out; the supplied sources do not establish a best season.
Check the forecast and local conditions before starting; the supplied sources do not identify a best time of day.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers · Couples · Solo
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Reached on foot from Blairmore by an approximately four-mile route across exposed moorland; allow for the return walk. The beach is remote, with no road access described by the supplied sources.
Parking
A car park at Blairmore is described by the supplied source; a donation box is reported there. Check current arrangements before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The bay is reached by a long walk over exposed moorland; the supplied sources do not establish an accessible route or facilities.
Cost
Donation for Blairmore parking is reported by a supplied source; verify current arrangements.
Check before visiting
Water
Sea, Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Sandwood Bay Beach
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph9.2Sandwood Bay
North of Kinlochbervie, Sutherland, north-west Highlands, Scotland
3.5 km away
Place photograph8.6Smoo Cave
About a mile east of Durness, Sutherland, Scottish Highlands
19.9 km away
Place photograph7.1Drumbeg Viewpoint
West end of Drumbeg village, B869, Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland
30.6 km away
