Mol Bheag

The beach at Mol Bheag sits just outside Ullapool, a proper wild stretch of sand and shingle that feels genuinely remote despite being minutes from town. The water's dark and cold - you won't fancy a swim unless you're Scottish hardened - but the beach itself is brilliant for wandering, finding shells, and just breathing in that Highland air without the crowds you'd get at more famous spots.

It's the kind of place walkers will appreciate more than loungers. The surrounding landscape is dramatic, with hills rising up behind and views across the water that shift depending on the light and weather. Bring proper shoes because the shingle's rough, and honestly, the appeal here is in the walking and the light rather than settling down with a book for hours.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit bleak - there's no facilities, no ice cream van, nothing to break up a long afternoon. But teenagers who like moody scenery, or anyone after a proper Highland beach experience without the postcard polish, will get it. It's free, it's accessible, and you can spend as long as you want.

If you're staying at Port a Bhaigh Campsite just down the road, this is an easy add-on to your days. Pair it with a walk around Ullapool itself and you've got a solid morning sorted. Go early if the weather's decent - these Highland beaches turn grey and miserable quickly when the wind picks up.