Wild Swimming
Silver Sands of Morar
The Silver Sands of Morar stretch for 3km south of Morar village — arguably the most beautiful continuous beach on the Scottish mainland, with dazzlingly white sand (actually crushed quartz and coral) and views across to Eigg and Skye. The River Morar, which flows from Loch Morar (the deepest loch in the British Isles) to the sea just north of the beach, provides a gentler freshwater swim option if the sea swell is too strong. Accessible from the A830 Road to the Isles, with the ScotRail Mallaig Line stopping at Morar.
Quick facts
- Type
- Beach
- Region
- Lochaber
- Grid ref
- NM 679 921
- Entry
- Sandy shore
- Depth
- Shallow (wading depth)
- Summer water temp
- 9–15°C
- Midges
- Very high
- Dogs
- Off-lead OK
Key hazards
- cold water shock
- midges
- exposed coastal sections can have strong tidal flow off headlands
Getting there
Multiple parking areas off the A830 near Morar (PH40 4PE). Morar train station is 300m from the beach. SOAC rights apply throughout. The beach is on private crofting land in parts — the foreshore access is unrestricted.
Parking postcode: PH40 4PE
Safety
Tidal rip off the rocky headlands at each end of the beach. Stick to the central sand areas for swimming. Midges are intense in still weather.
Best for
- beach walk + swim
- ScotRail Mallaig Line day trip
- Small Isles photography
Nearby
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:29
- Sunset
- 22:22
- Civil dawn
- 03:21
- Civil dusk
- 23:30
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 June 2026
Common questions
- Can you reach the Silver Sands of Morar by train?
- Yes — the ScotRail Mallaig Line stops at Morar village, 300m from the beach. The line from Glasgow Queen Street via Fort William is one of the most scenic train journeys in Europe.
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Around Silver Sands of Morar on the SCOT network
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