Mellon Udrigle Beach
A bay of white sand and turquoise water at the end of a single-track road from Laide, looking out to Suilven, the Coigach hills and the Summer Isles.
From Laide, on the coast road through Wester Ross, a single-track lane heads north along the edge of Gruinard Bay, past a scatter of crofts, and ends at a handful of cottages huddled against the weather.
Just short of them, in the dunes, is somewhere to leave the car, and a boardwalk leads through the marram to the sand.
The beach is called Camas a'Charaig: a broad sweep of white sand sloping gently into water as clear and turquoise as anywhere in the Highlands, held between rocky points. On a calm day it is simply perfect.
What makes it, though, is the view. Across the sea to the north-east the mountains line up one behind another, the long side of Suilven twenty-five miles away, the hills of Coigach, and to the south-east the jagged ridge of An Teallach. There are no facilities here at all, which is part of the point.
The beach is open at all times and free, with parking in the dunes and a plank path to the sand.
There are no facilities.
- Where
- At the end of the road from Laide, off the A832.
- On the skyline
- Suilven, Coigach and An Teallach.
At the end of the single-track road north from Laide on the A832, with parking in the dunes.
Gruinard BayThe great bay just to the south.4 miles7 min by road
Gruinard Bay ViewpointPull in at the viewpoint above Gruinard Bay, looking out to Gruinard Island.6 miles10 min by road
Inverewe GardenThe garden by the sea at Poolewe.11 miles16 min by road
Loch Maree ViewpointA large car park by Loch Maree, with a way down to the water.13 miles19 min by road
Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.
Scotland, in print.
Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.
For further reading, before you go.