Sandwood Bay

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A walk in along a bleak moorland track is amply rewarded when the fabulous views of Sandwood Bay come into view, perhaps the most beautiful beach in Britain. Spend time exploring the mile of golden sand and dunes, with rocky cliffs and a giant sea stack to complete the scene. Despite its popularity, Sandwood Bay never seems busy as the beach is big enough to absorb the visitors.

Terrain

Level track with a couple of streams which are usually very easy to cross unless very wet.

Public Transport

None to start, nearest bus stop Kinlochbervie.

Start

Blairmore car park. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13km / 8.25 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 150m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NC197603

Maps / GPS

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Sandwood Bay is a rugged, picturesque wide strip of sand, backed by dunes and a freshwater loch and framed by high cliffs and a tall sea stack. Some have claimed it is the most beautiful beach in Britain. The coastline from Cape Wrath provides a dramatic and challenging walk in, this route is the easiest and most popular but still longer and harder than many people expect. The route starts from Blairmore where there is a car park and toilets. There is no longer any vehicular access over the track to Sandwood Bay. Start by crossing the road and heading through the gate and following the wide track. Pass Loch Aisir and continue following the track as it undulates over peat moorland.

Stage 2

The land here is owned and managed by the John Muir Trust, a charity that protects wild places, which has owned it since 1993 and aims to preserve the wild beauty and bio-diversity at the same time as maintaining a viable crofting community here. You can find out more and support their work by joining at http://www.johnmuirtrust.org/. All the land crossed on this walk is crofted and dogs should be kept under very strict control so as not to disturb livestock and ground nesting birds. Cross the outflow of Loch na Gainimh and continue along the track, using a path on the left to shortcut a corner. The track is then rejoined to Loch a Mhuilinn, where another outflow is crossed; stepping stones help keep feet dry in good conditions..

Stage 3

The track now becomes a smaller path and after a rise, the cliffs on the coastline north to Cape Wrath come into view. Pass through two old wooden gateposts for the final section of wider path. Sandwood Loch, a large freshwater loch, now comes into view, with the ruins of a house on the right. Local folklore states that the ghost of a shipwrecked mariner used to knock at the window of the house on stormy nights. After passing the ruin the path bears left slightly to head through the dunes to the beach itself.

Stage 4

As the bay is exposed to the Atlantic breakers, the bay was the scene of many shipwrecks, although all the remains are now buried under the sand. The building of the Cape Wrath lighthouse in 1828 provided a much-needing warning system and no ship has been wrecked at Sandwood since.

Stage 5

The saltwater lagoon can be seen on the right. From the beach the massive sea stack, Am Buachaille can be seen at the southern end of the sands. The large sandstone stack, Gaelic for The Herdsman, was first climbed in 1968 by Tom Patey and Ian Clough.

Stage 6

The beach is a good place to spot dolphins and other marine mammals. Local legends include a sighting of a reclining mermaid of ravishing beauty on the rocks in the bay in 1900. This spooked the local crofter and terrified his dog, and the man never changed his story but remained convinced he had come across a mermaid. The return walk is by the same outward track. Information about the John Muir Trust as well as a donation box can be found at the car park.

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