Sand Beach

Also known as Big Sand, a wide beach near Gairloch in Wester Ross with a hilly, largely undeveloped catchment of bogland and rough grazing.

Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Lifeguard: none

Hazards: Short-term pollution risk after heavy rain, partly from private wastewater systems; open Atlantic-facing beach, exposed to swell.

Amenities: car-park

Dogs

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

Family

Big, open beach popular with campers from the adjoining Sands campsite.

Fishing

Rocky margins and kelp can support pollack, wrasse, coalfish and summer mackerel, with codling or bass depending on season and ground.

Species reported: Pollack, Ballan wrasse, Mackerel, Coalfish, Codling, Bass

Crabbing

rock pooling only

Access & parking

Side road off the Gairloch-Melvaig road; parking at Sands campsite or roadside. Sat-nav: IV21 2DL. Get directions →