Coral Beach - Plockton

The sand here is genuinely unusual for the Scottish Highlands - coral-coloured and soft underfoot, stretching along Loch Carron with views across to the mountains. It's the kind of beach that makes you do a double-take when you first spot it, especially if you've been expecting grey pebbles and drama. Plockton itself is a working fishing village, so there's actual life happening beyond the tourist trail.

The beach is small but perfectly formed for a couple of hours' pottering about. The water's cold - obviously - but the setting is proper lovely, with palm trees (yes, really, the Gulf Stream does odd things) dotting the village behind. Kids will enjoy the rock pools and the shallows, though swimmers should brace themselves. It's free to access and entirely unrestricted.

The real appeal here is the combo. You're only a few miles from Kyle of Lochalsh, which means easy access if you're heading to or from Skye. Stay at Reraig Caravan & Camping Skye - a cracking site just down the road - and Coral Beach becomes your morning or evening stroll before proper exploring. Don't expect Mediterranean vibes; expect something altogether more Scottish and windswept, but with character that outweighs the weather.

Best visited on a calm day - and I mean calm. The beach faces west and can get choppy when the wind picks up. Spring and early summer are your best bets for dry spells.