Dunnet

BeachHighland Council🐾 Dog-friendly all year

A large sandy beach in Dunnet Bay near Britain's most northerly mainland point, consistently rated Excellent.

Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Hazards: Rainfall-driven pollution risk; open Atlantic-facing bay so swell/surf conditions can be significant.

Dogs

No Highland Council byelaw specific to Dunnet Bay was found. Secondary dog-walking sources consistently report dogs welcome off-lead year-round with no seasonal restriction. Dunnet Head Nature Reserve (RSPB) sits adjacent — keep dogs on a lead near the reserve/dunes if ground-nesting birds are present.

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Family

Long, wide sandy bay with dunes, popular with surfers as well as families.

Fishing

Clean or mixed sand can support flounder and dab, seasonal bass, winter codling and whiting, and dogfish after dark.

Species reported: Flounder, Dab, Bass, Codling, Whiting, Lesser-spotted dogfish

Crabbing

rock pooling only

Access & parking

unknown

Researched 2026-07-24 — sources & disclaimer

https://bathingwaters.sepa.org.uk/profiles/profile?location=200324

https://wildpackcollective.com/beach/dunnet-bay/

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.