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Beaches
in Inverness-shire.

It’s 20:58 in Inverness-shire.
Inverness-shire

Loch Ness shingle and Nairn sands.

Inverness-shire has sand by the sea and shingle by the loch, and both are lovely for a long walk. At the north end of Loch Ness, Dores has a shingle shore eight miles from Inverness, with long views down the water and a famous resident Nessie hunter. East of the city, Nairn's long sandy beach runs out from the harbour, with a promenade, dunes and a breakwater with its white beacon. From the sand there are wide views across the Moray Firth. Bring a flask and a warm jacket, as the wind off the water can be cool even in summer.

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Beach of the day16 hours ago

Nairn Beach.

The long sandy beach by the harbour at Nairn, with a promenade, a breakwater and its white beacon, dunes, and wide views across the Moray Firth.

Read about it
Lunch12 hours agoInvernessRocpool7.6 milesInvernessThe Kitchen7.6 milesInvernessXOKO Bakehouse7.7 miles

Lunch near Dores Beach.

The three good places closest to it: Rocpool, The Kitchen and XOKO Bakehouse.

See Dores Beach
From the magazine7 hours agoThe printed copy of Issue 12Issue 12Spring / Summer 2026

Andrew Cowderoy, who runs Boath Cabin near Nairn, says the place to go on a rainy day is Culbin Forest, where the Scots pines give shelter from wind, rain and snow.

He suggests going in through Kingsteps, where the trails are great for family walks or a quick 5K run. Culbin was once shifting sand dunes and is now a vast pine plantation, and the highlight is climbing the tower at Hill 99 for sweeping views across the treetops to the sandbanks. Nairn Beach, a short drive from the cabin, is good in most weather, with a splash pad for children nearby in summer, and at Brodie Castle the Playful Garden Café has soft play and good coffee. 'These places are beloved by locals, simple, restorative, and easy to enjoy during your stay'.

See Boath Cabin · Inverness-shire

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