The Top 5 Beaches on the NC500

The North Coast 500, which has been dubbed Scotland’s answer to Route 66, is a journey that takes in 516 miles of rugged coastline, mountain-high passes and hidden sleepy villages. It’s a journey that’s best done slowly, leaving plenty of time for unplanned detours. Among the highlights? The beaches.

For this guide, we are sharing five of the best beaches found along the NC500, looking at what makes each one different, how accessible it is and why it’s worth making a stop on your adventure. Considering hiring a campervan to drive there in? Have a look at Compass Rentals’ NC500 motorhome and campervan advice to help you plan your route.

The beaches of the NC500 don’t always appear on glossy travel brochures like those of Cornwall or the south coast, but then that’s part of their charm. There are no outsized rows of deckchairs, amusement arcades or never-ending lines of fish and chip shops here. Instead, you’ll find sweeping white-sand beaches, waters which are as turquoise as the Caribbean on a sunny day and a sense of tranquillity that is difficult to find elsewhere in the UK.

A number of these beaches seem remote, despite being just a short drive from the main road. Some are easily reached with a stroll from a nearby car park, and others require a long walk across wild moorland. Whatever your choice, the payoff will be the same: quiet moments on some of Scotland’s most pristine coastlines.

If you’ve seen photos of the NC500, chances are you’ve already come across Achmelvich Beach. Its pristine white sand and bright blue waters have the power to make even the weariest of travellers pause in their tracks. It’s like a slice of the Mediterranean on a fine day, with Highland scenery in the background.

Achmelvich is a family favourite as it is easy to get to and boasts safe swimming. There’s a clear car park with only a short walk down to the sand, so it’s an easy stop even if you’re travelling in a campervan. There is also plenty of wildlife to see, and the beach is a popular spot for wild swimmers, paddleboarders and people happy just to lie on the sand.

Facilities located close by include toilets as well as a campsite, which makes it the perfect place to stop overnight. In fact, Achmelvich is one of the most famous beachside camping spots along the NC500, ideal for waking up to the sound of the waves.

Slightly differently, up in Durness, Sango Sands has something else to offer. This beach is backed by dramatic cliffs, forming a bay that sits protected yet wild. It’s an excellent place to take pictures, and especially at sunset, when the sky appears like it’s burning over the Atlantic.

Travellers in campervans will love the parking so close to the beach. The Sango Sands Oasis camp is perched directly above it, offering some of the best sea views anywhere to pitch up on the NC500. It’s also an excellent place for families or couples who desire such amenities but are unwilling to sacrifice natural beauty.

If you are in Durness, a beach visit is easily paired with a trip to Smoo Cave, an enormous sea cave a short drive away. Beneath your feet is the sand, behind your back are the cliffs, and in front of you the Atlantic stretching to the horizon. 

Clachtoll is smaller than Achmelvich or Sango Sands, but it’s well up there in the list of the NC500’s prettiest little coves. It feels like a hidden enclave just a quick stroll away from the car park.

It’s the kind of beach where you want to roll up your trousers and explore. At low tide, rock pools form, and it is popular with children and beachcombers. There’s also paddleboarding and wild swimming as the water is so calm and clear.

The toilets are close to the car park and the Clachtoll Beach Campsite right next door. As far as campervan-friendly places to stay along this coastline, this is up there, with the bonus of being able to walk down to the sand whenever you feel like stretching your legs.

If it’s solitude you’re after and you don’t mind working for it, Sandwood Bay is the one to go for. There is no road access here, and it’s an eight-mile round-trip walk over exposed moorland. But after you finally arrive on its vast, golden-pink stretch of sand, with the Atlantic extending to infinity on the horizon, it’s well worth it.

It is one of the UK’s most remote beaches, a favourite of hikers and wild campers seeking to escape the crowds. It has an unparalleled atmosphere: waves break, seabirds wheel, and you may have the whole place virtually to yourself.

There are no facilities, so bring your own food and water, and wear good boots. This is Sandwood Bay, and it is a place for disconnecting, soaking in the raw beauty of the Highlands and a side to Scotland that feels genuinely untamed.

Tucked away on the north coast, Melvich Beach is often overlooked, which is exactly why it’s so special. This wide, sandy bay is perfect for a long, bracing walk, and it rarely feels busy even at the height of summer. The waves here also make it a favourite for surfers.

There is easy-going access with a free car park and it’s a short walk down to the beach. Though there are no grand facilities directly on the sand, the village of Melvich has a convenient shop and cafe to help you with your supplies.

Melvich is perfect for visitors wishing to see another face of the NC500. Whether you’re strolling, watching the waves roll in or spotting seals offshore, it’s the sort of beach that rewards those who linger.

Here are a few travel tips that will make your NC500 beach-hopping journey easier. Firstly, watch for the single-track roads to some of these beaches, stop in passing places and be tolerant of other road users. The weather in the Highlands can be fickle, so pack layers and always keep a waterproof close by.

Respecting the environment is crucial. Stick to paths where they exist, carry out any rubbish and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Remote beaches may appear appealing, but check for tides and strong currents before swimming.

Apps like Park4Night can help you locate legal overnight campervan stops, but traditional campsites are well worth booking in advance, too, with favourites including Clachtoll Beach Campsite and Sango Sands Oasis. And if you’re taking a dog, many beaches are pet-friendly, just make sure to look for signs for local restrictions.

The ideal months to visit these beaches, with good weather and plenty of daylight, are May through September. There are long evenings, a lot of sun, and water that’s almost warm enough to swim in.

The busiest months are June and July, so if you’d like to enjoy a little more peace on the sands, April or September could be right for you instead. Summer is also midge season in parts; bring repellent if you plan to hang around outside. Visits can be made in winter too, but expect brutal weather and short daylight hours.

More than just a road trip, the NC500 is an immersion into Scotland’s wild beauty, and its beaches are a standout highlight. All are unique, offering something a little different, from the family-friendly stretches of Achmelvich to the windswept isolation of Sandwood Bay.

Whether you are manoeuvring by car, campervan or on foot, there is a coastline here that rewards curiosity and respect. Ready to plan your trip now? Take a look at Compass Rentals’ 5-day NC500 itinerary and campsite guide to get you started, and then hit the road and rest easy knowing those beaches are waiting just around the next bend.