Tràigh an t-Sean Bhaile

The beach at Tràigh an t-Sean Bhaile sits on the west side of Ullapool, a proper windswept stretch of sand that rewards you for knowing it exists. Most visitors stick to the town itself, which means you'll often find this place remarkably quiet - just you, the gulls, and the occasional dog walker trudging through the shallows.

It's not a sunbathing beach, if we're honest. The sand is coarse, the water cold, and the weather can turn on a sixpence. But that's precisely why it's worth the short walk from town. The light here is extraordinary, especially on those rare clear afternoons when you can see right out across the water. Low tide exposes stretches of firm sand that are brilliant for exploring rockpools or just wandering without the crowds you'd find on the postcard beaches further north.

Families with older children will get on fine here - there's space to run about, interesting bits of driftwood to investigate, and the novelty of a proper Highland beach without the tourist infrastructure. Younger ones might tire quickly unless they're keen on rock scrambling. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if the light's good and you're the type to just sit and look at things.

Port a Bhaigh Campsite is practically on the doorstep at under a mile away, making this a natural extension of a wild camping holiday in the area. Pop down at different tides - the beach transforms completely and reveals new bits worth exploring each time you visit.