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A sandy beach curves beneath a dune-covered headland beside calm water.
Sutherland

Torrisdale Beach

A mile of golden sand between the mouths of the Naver and the Borgie, west of Bettyhill, backed by dunes that climb the hillside and a protected coastal landscape.

Welcome

West of Bettyhill, across the mouth of the River Naver, lies one of the great beaches of the north coast.

Torrisdale Bay is a mile-wide sweep of golden sand held between two rivers, the Naver at its eastern end and the Borgie at its western.

The river mouth is part of the pleasure. At low water the Naver winds out across the sand in a wide, shining channel, and a long spit of sand curves across it; on the rocky shore by the river stands an old stone bothy.

Behind the beach is something rarer. The dunes here do not stop at the shore but climb the hillside, reaching more than 120 metres above the sea, and give way to machair and moorland; the whole landscape is protected for the way sand, rivers and the leavings of the ice have shaped it together. A walk from Invernaver takes in the dunes, the riverside and an Iron Age broch.

Before you go

The bay is open at all times and free.

It lies across the River Naver from Bettyhill; the usual way on foot starts from Invernaver, on the west bank.

Where
West of Bettyhill, between the Naver and the Borgie.
Protected
A Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Did you know

A sandy beach curves beneath a dune-covered headland under an overcast sky.
Did you know

Climbing dunes.

The dunes behind Torrisdale Bay climb the hillside to more than 120 metres above the sea.

A sandy tidal spit curves out into a sea inlet below rounded, rocky hills.
Did you know

Two rivers.

The bay lies between the mouths of the River Naver and the River Borgie.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Sutherland

West of Bettyhill, across the mouth of the River Naver, Torrisdale Bay is a mile-wide sweep of golden sand held between two rivers, the Naver and the Borgie. At low water the Naver winds out across the sand in a wide, shining channel. Behind the beach the dunes do not stop at the shore but climb the hillside, more than 120 metres above the sea, and the whole landscape is protected for the way sand, rivers and ice have shaped it. A walk from Invernaver takes in the dunes, the river and an Iron Age broch.

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Where it is

West of Bettyhill across the River Naver, reached from Invernaver off the A836.

Close byBettyhill.
  1. Sun setting over a river estuary winding between grassy hillsTorrisdale BayTorrisdale Bay is close to Bettyhill, and worth the trip on a good day.Under a mile 3 min by road
  2. Coldbackie BeachColdbackie Beach7 miles 10 min by road
  3. Timber-framed café interior with fairy lights strung across exposed roof beamsWeavers Craft Shop & CaféWeavers Craft Shop and Café looks out over the Kyle of Tongue.8 miles 12 min by road
  4. Frozen loch surrounded by snow-dusted hills under a cloudy skyBettyhillThe village across the river.8 miles 13 min by road
  5. Strathnaver MuseumStrathnaver MuseumThe story of the Clearances, in the old parish church.9 miles 17 min by road
  6. Farr BeachFarr BeachA sheltered sandy bay on the far side of Bettyhill.11 miles 19 min by road
Directions
White cottage with Tourist Information sign and Open board outside Clachan CafeCafeBettyhill Tourist Information & Cafe1.9 miles over the water
Timber-fronted Store Cafe behind a stone wall, with white cottages nearbyCafeThe Store Bistro & Bar2.0 miles over the water
The Norse Bakehouse dining room, green panelling and wooden tables under strings of lights and a high ceiling.RestaurantsNorse Bakehouse7.7 miles
A stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.TongueLundies HousePlace to stay · 9.2 miles
Burr’s of Tongue, SutherlandCafeBurr’s of Tongue9.4 miles
Weathered timber boathouse and stone ruin beside a shingle shorelineAttractionsTongue9.4 miles
Duntulm Castle ruins on a headland overlooking a wide sea lochAttractionsCastle Varrich9.6 miles
Rust-coloured viewing platform overlooking a loch winding through misty hillsAttractionsCnoc Craggie12 miles
Kyle House, SutherlandTongueKyle HouseSleeps 2 · 14 miles
The Daily for 20 October, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.

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Stay nearby

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

A stone house with crow-stepped gables and clustered chimneys rises above trees, hills visible in the misty distance.Lundies House
  • To stay
  • In Tongue
  • 6 miles from Torrisdale
Check datesKyle House, SutherlandKyle House
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Tongue
  • 9 miles from Torrisdale
Check datesA stone cottage with two chimneys sits above a loch, a mountain rising behind and a dry stone wall enclosing the lawn.Keeper's Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Hope
  • 13 miles from Torrisdale
Check datesA stone cottage with a slated roof and skylights sits on a lawn, a bench, fire bowl and basket of logs set out on the patio in front.Ferryman's Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Hope
  • 13 miles from Torrisdale
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in SutherlandAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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