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White cottages sit above a shingle beach curving around a calm sea loch beneath dark cliffs.
Easter Ross

Ardmair Beach

A long curving shingle bay on Loch Kanaird three miles north of Ullapool, sheltered by Isle Martin, below the great ridge of Ben More Coigach.

Welcome

Three miles north of Ullapool, the road comes over a rise and runs down to the sea at Ardmair, and there is the bay: a long, perfect curve of grey shingle sweeping out to a low point, with a row of white cottages at its end.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

Behind it rises the great dark wall of Ben More Coigach, often with its top in cloud. In front lies Loch Kanaird, a sheltered sea loch, and the green hump of Isle Martin, which guards the bay from the open sea. Looking west, past the islands, the view runs out towards the Summer Isles and the far Outer Hebrides, and on a clear evening the sunsets are glorious.

The beach is pebble and shingle, good for a walk along the tideline and for skimming stones on calm water. At the point is a holiday park with a small shop and coffee shop.

Before you go

The beach is open at all times and free, by the A835 three miles north of Ullapool.

The holiday park at the point has a small shop and coffee shop.

Where
By the A835, three miles north of Ullapool.
Beach
Shingle and pebbles.
Offshore
Isle Martin.

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Did you know

White cottages overlook a curving shingle beach beneath misty hills in Ross and Cromarty.
Did you know

Guarded by an island.

Isle Martin shelters the bay from the open sea, making it a safe place for boats.

A whitewashed cottage sits above a curving shingle beach beneath a rounded hill.
Did you know

Westward views.

On a clear day the view from Ardmair runs past the Summer Isles to the Outer Hebrides.

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Where it is

On the A835 three miles north of Ullapool, where the road meets Loch Kanaird.

Close byUllapool.
  1. Ullapool Golf ClubUllapool Golf ClubA nine-hole coastal course on Loch Broom, with a second set of tees for eighteen, an adult day ticket of £40 in 2026 and walk-ons welcome.2 miles as the crow flies
  2. The hatch of the Seafood Shack trailer, with its crab sign, open for orders.The Seafood Shack3 miles as the crow flies
  3. A table for two in the dining room at the Dipping Lugger, with red wine, two plates of food, wild flowers in a jar and a lamp glowing on the shelves.The Dipping Lugger3 miles as the crow flies
  4. Whitewashed buildings housing Ullapool Bookshop and Captains Cabin under grey slate roofsUllapool BookshopBooks on the harbour front in Ullapool.3 miles 6 min by road
  5. Stac PollaidhStac PollaidhA spiky peak on the road north.11 miles 14 min by road
  6. Achnahaird Bay's sands and rocks at low tide, with the peaks of Stac Pollaidh and Coigach behind.Achnahaird BeachA wide sandy bay in Coigach.20 miles 25 min by road
Directions
Dried flowers hang above a tiled café counter with wooden crossback chairsCafeCult Cafe3.3 miles
Bookshop corner with postcards pinned above tables and crowded shelvesShoppingCeilidh Place Bookshop3.4 miles
White-harled cottages with black gables on a street, sign reading "eilidh's placeCafeCeilidh Place3.4 miles
Fjell, Wester RossBraes, UllapoolFjellSleeps 2 · 4.3 miles
The timber-clad house's cantilevered corner overlooks a loch framed by hills, bare trees in the foreground.Braes, UllapoolFjordSleeps 4 · 4.3 miles
Viewpoint shelter overlooking a loch and Assynt's mountain peaksWalksKnockan Crag Trail9.2 miles
Turf-roofed visitor shelter beside a path through misty, bracken-covered hillsideAttractionsKnockan Crag National Nature Reserve9.2 miles

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The Daily for 24 October, from Scotland with love. a stone arch bridge crossing a rushing gorge below a moss-covered cliffside building, autumn trees on both banks

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bay, and when each is next free.

Fjell, Wester RossFjell
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Braes, Ullapool
  • 4 miles from Ardmair
Free 12–15 NovThe timber-clad house's cantilevered corner overlooks a loch framed by hills, bare trees in the foreground.Fjord
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Braes, Ullapool
  • 4 miles from Ardmair
Free 2–5 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in Easter RossAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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The collections it is in and more in Easter Ross.

CollectionScotland's Best Beaches
More in Easter Ross
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .