Did you know
Rock pools to the north.
The shore grows rockier as it runs north, with rock pools to explore.
Sutherland
Dornoch Beach
Long sands and dunes beyond the golf links on the edge of Dornoch, turning to rocks and rock pools as the shore runs north.
Welcome
Walk out of Dornoch past the golf links and you come to the sea: a long, wide stretch of sand backed by marram-covered dunes, with paths winding down through the grass to the shore.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
It is the town's beach.
From the dunes the view runs out over the Dornoch Firth and the Moray Firth beyond. The sand goes on for a long way, and as the shore runs north it grows rockier, with weathered outcrops and pools among the stones, full of small life for anyone who likes to crouch and look.
Behind the dunes lie the links of Royal Dornoch, among the finest golf courses in Scotland, and beyond them, less expectedly, a small airfield. The honey-coloured town, with its cathedral and its castle, is only a few minutes' walk away.
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Before you go
The beach is open at all times and free, with parking by the shore at the end of the road through the links.
- Where
- On the eastern edge of Dornoch, beyond the golf links.
- To the north
- Rocks and rock pools.
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What is on in SutherlandWhere it is
On the eastern edge of Dornoch, beyond Royal Dornoch's links.
Close byDornoch.
Royal Dornoch Golf ClubThe links between the town and the sea.Under a mile 1 min by road
Dornoch TownUnder a mile 2 min by road
Dornoch CathedralThe 13th-century cathedral in the town.Under a mile 3 min by road
Dornoch Castle HotelUnder a mile 2 min by road
Milk & HoneyUnder a mile 3 min by road
Embo BeachMore sand along the coast to the north.4 miles 9 min by road
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.
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Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- DornochThe town, the links and the shore.undiscoveredscotland.co.ukUndiscovered Scotland↗
- This is DornochThings to do in the town.thisisdornoch.comThis is Dornoch↗
- Dornoch CathedralThe cathedral in the town.undiscoveredscotland.co.ukUndiscovered Scotland↗
- Dornoch CathedralServices and visiting.dornoch-cathedral.comDornoch Firth Church of Scotland↗