Clashnessie Bay

The moment you round the bend near Sutherland and catch sight of Clashnessie Bay, you understand why people drive out here on purpose. It's a proper crescent of golden sand backed by low cliffs, with water that shifts from deep blue to pale turquoise depending on the light. The beach itself is quiet - not the kind of quiet that means nothing happens, but the kind where you can actually hear the waves and think straight.

This is a beach for people who want space rather than amenities. There's no cafe, no deck chairs, no ice cream van. What you get instead is room to breathe, decent shells if you're into that sort of thing, and rock pools that keep children occupied for far longer than you'd expect. The sands are firm enough for a proper walk in either direction, and the backdrop of Highland cliffs gives it real character.

Allow a couple of hours minimum, longer if the weather's decent and you've brought a picnic. Summer afternoons work best, though autumn can be spectacular if you catch it right. It's the sort of place that rewards getting there early - by lunchtime during school holidays you might find yourself sharing it with other families.

Clachtoll Beach Campsite sits just 2.6 miles away and makes an obvious base for exploring this stretch of coast. If you're planning a week in Sutherland, Clashnessie deserves a morning or afternoon visit. Not dramatic in a showy way, but genuinely lovely.