Achnahaird Beach
A wide sandy inlet on the Coigach peninsula near Achiltibuie, with tidal flats, salt marsh and dunes, and Stac Pollaidh and Suilven on the skyline.
On the road out to Achiltibuie, the Coigach peninsula opens into a long sandy inlet: Achnahaird.
At low tide the sea draws right back across wide, rippled flats, and behind the beach the sand gives way to dunes, machair and salt marsh.
A path of about ten minutes leads from the car park to the sand. There is nothing here but the bay itself, no café and no toilets, which is much of its appeal.
What makes Achnahaird is the view back inland. Across the water and the low, rocky moor rise the strange, separate peaks of the north-west: the jagged crest of Stac Pollaidh, and beyond it Suilven and Canisp. It is a good place to stretch the legs after a day in the car, or to sit among the rocks and watch the light move over the hills.
The beach is open at all times and free.
A path of about ten minutes leads from the car park to the sand; there are no facilities.
- Where
- Achnahaird, on the road to Achiltibuie.
- On the skyline
- Stac Pollaidh, Suilven and Canisp.
On the Coigach peninsula, off the road from the A835 to Achiltibuie.
Stac PollaidhThe spiky peak on the skyline.8 miles 11 min by road
Knockan Crag National Nature ReserveWhere the rocks of the north-west were first understood.16 miles 21 min by road
Peet's Lochinver17 miles 22 min by road
Lochinver Larder17 miles 23 min by road
Ullapool BookshopBooks on the harbour front in Ullapool.23 miles 31 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.
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.