Dunnet Bay

The drive north from Thurso takes you to one of the most northerly beaches on mainland Britain, and it's genuinely worth the petrol. Dunnet Bay is a proper crescent of golden sand that feels properly remote - three miles of it sweeping round with the North Sea doing its thing on one side and the cliffs rising up behind.

What strikes you first is how empty it gets. Even in summer, you'll find stretches where you're more or less alone, which is rare enough these days. The beach itself is decent for a walk - firm sand, good for pushing a buggy if you've got kids in tow, though the water's cold enough to make you think twice about swimming. The cliffs at the far end are the real draw; they're home to nesting seabirds from spring onwards, and on a clear day you can see across to Orkney.

It's worth allowing a couple of hours here. Families with young kids will get an hour out of it before the novelty of the waves wears thin. Walkers and birdwatchers should factor in longer - there's a decent path along the cliffside if you've got the legs for it.

If you're staying at Little Croft Highlands nearby, this is absolutely where to head for a beach day. There's no café or facilities right at the bay itself, so bring what you need. The light up here is extraordinary in summer - at this latitude, dusk barely happens. Go when the weather's half decent; a full gale makes it spectacular but teeth-grindingly cold.