Did you know
Four churches.
Strathy built four churches between 1828 and 1910, the earliest to a Thomas Telford design.
Sutherland
Strathy Beach
A sandy bay at the mouth of the River Strathy on the north coast, reached by a path through the dunes, with cliffs, caves and sea stacks along its eastern side.
Welcome
The River Strathy comes down to the north coast through a small crofting village and spreads across a bay of pale sand.
From the car park a path leads down past the old cemetery and through the dunes, where the marram grass turns gold in low evening light.
The river runs along the western side of the bay. To the east, cliffs close it in, broken by caves and sea stacks, and when the swell comes in from the north the surfers follow it.
The village above has a long story for its size. After 1790 the estate's new owner cleared tenants for sheep, and families cleared from Strathnaver were settled here as crofters; four churches were built between 1828 and 1910, the first to a design by Thomas Telford. The village hall keeps a replica of the Strathy Stone, a grave marker from around AD 600. Climb to the graveyard on the bluff for the view over village and bay together.
Before you go
The beach is open at all times and free, with a car park and toilets above it and a path down past the cemetery.
- Where
- Strathy, off the A836 on the north coast.
- The way down
- A path from the car park past the cemetery.
Did you know
Did you know
The Strathy Stone.
A replica of the Strathy Stone, an early Christian grave marker from around AD 600, is kept in the village hall.
Ben Lerwill
From our guide to Caithness
This is a popular stop-off for travellers on the North Coast 500 road trip – and it’s not hard to see why. The views out across the Pentland Firth are heavenly on a sunny day, while caves, cliffs and summer wildflowers add to the overall allure. It also marks the spot where the River Strathy flows into the sea.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Sutherland, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in SutherlandWhere it is
At Strathy, off the A836 between Bettyhill and Melvich, where the River Strathy reaches the sea.
Close byThe north coast.
Melvich BeachGolden sands at the mouth of the Halladale.3 miles 6 min by road
Drumhollistan7 miles 11 min by road
Farr BeachA sandy bay at Bettyhill.10 miles 19 min by road
Strathnaver Museum10 miles 18 min by road
The Store Bistro & Bar11 miles 19 min by road
Forsinard FlowsThe Flow Country inland.19 miles 29 min by road
The Daily
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.
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Scotland, in print.
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Find out more
For further reading, before you go.