Port Henderson Beach

The beach at Port Henderson is one of those Scottish West Coast stretches that catches you off guard with how good it actually is. Golden sand, proper turquoise water on a decent day, and the kind of light that makes you understand why painters keep coming back to this corner of the Highlands. It's tucked away near Gairloch, so you won't find the crowds that plague more famous spots.

You can walk the shoreline for miles if the mood takes you, paddle in summer, or just sit with a flask and watch the light change across the water. The beach itself is free to access - no ticket booth, no nonsense. Most people allow an hour or two, though hikers and photographers easily spend half a day here without noticing the time slip away.

Families with younger kids will find it manageable, though the sand does get a bit soft in places. Serious walkers love it as part of a longer coastal route around Gairloch. The water's cold even in summer, so don't expect to linger in the sea unless you're hardy.

If you're staying at Sands Caravan & Camping just down the road, this is your obvious stop - barely three miles away. It's worth building half a day around Port Henderson rather than treating it as a quick tick-off. The light's best in late afternoon, and out of season you'll often have the place nearly to yourself.