Wild Swimming
Sandwood Bay
Sandwood Bay is one of Scotland's most remote mainland beaches — a mile-long (1.6km) arc of sand with no road access, backed by dunes and Sandwood Loch and reached by a 4-mile (6km) path from Blairmore near Kinlochbervie. It is part of the Sandwood Estate, run by the John Muir Trust. Swimming here is an earned reward: the water is genuinely cold and the Atlantic swell can be powerful, but the setting — Am Buachaille sea stack, Sandwood Loch, the Cape Wrath peninsula beyond — is among the most dramatic in Europe.
Quick facts
- Type
- Beach
- Region
- Northwest Highlands
- Grid ref
- NC 218 653
- Entry
- Sandy shore
- Depth
- Shallow (wading depth)
- Midges
- Low
- Dogs
- Off-lead OK
Key hazards
- strong Atlantic swell and undertow
- cold water
- very remote — 6km walk from the nearest road
- no shelter if weather changes
Getting there
Gravel car park at Blairmore near Kinlochbervie. Walk 4 miles (6km) each way on a path that can be boggy. Carry out all litter. If you wild camp, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and keep off the fragile dunes. Access rights apply throughout.
Safety
Atlantic swells create undertow even in apparently calm conditions. Do not swim beyond the shallow area near the sand. Weather can change rapidly on this exposed coast. The 6km walk back to the road means any injury or weather deterioration requires careful planning. No lifeguard and do not rely on a mobile signal.
Best for
- most remote Scotland beach tick
- Atlantic coast photography
- Cape Wrath trail combination
Nearby
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:50
- Sunset
- 16:18
- Civil dawn
- 07:06
- Civil dusk
- 17:02
NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 November 2026
Common questions
- How far is the walk to Sandwood Bay?
- About 4 miles (6km) each way from the Blairmore car park. The path is mostly good but can be boggy in places. Allow plenty of time for the return walk and start early.
- Can you camp at Sandwood Bay?
- Wild camping is allowed under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, as long as you camp responsibly. The bay is part of the John Muir Trust's Sandwood Estate — keep off the fragile dunes, leave no trace and carry out all litter.
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Around Sandwood Bay on the SCOT network
Travel context for the area on TripSCOT.