Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Glenelg

Season: summer

The stunning setting for the hamlet of Glenelg includes a wide variety of attractions, despite its isolated location. The hamlet is usually approached via a single track road which joins the main A87 at the foot of Glen Shiel and the head of Loch Duich. Alternatively, you can cross Kyle Rhea from Skye via the Glenelg ferry to the north of Glenelg, a historical reference to the original main route “over the sea to Skye”. Celebrated journeyman Samuel Johnson and his faithful friend James Boswell popularised the village, but the area is steeped in history for other reasons. Two examples are the tradition of the Highland cattle swimming ashore for market from Skye, guided by a rowing boat and the ruined yet imposing Bernera Barracks, one of the four main English forts established following the Jacobite uprising. Other historical attractions are the well preserved Glenelg Brochs, located by Gleann Beag, a short distance south of Glenelg. This is a wonderful place to visit, steeped in history and natural beauty. Highly recommended.

What the beach means to David.

The scene at Glenelg beach, looking across to Skye.

A view of the beach at Glenelg.

Fraisthorpe

Season: spring

The beach at Fraisthorpe sits at the edge of Bridlington Bay and you can see the town to the north, as you walk in that direction. This is a long, sandy beach, backed by dunes and you may notice kitesurfers or horses with riders at low tide. Access is via a narrow lane and there is parking and a cafe a short distance behind the beach. I must confess a personal historical attraction to this beach, where we came as children in the East Riding of the 1960’s. Although there is no lifeguard service, the bathing water is clean and this is a safe swimming environment. Despite ongoing erosion along this stretch of coastline, you can still see the weathered remains of WWII pillboxes beside the dunes. This is a wonderful natural environment in which to unwind.

What the beach means to Jan.

The scene at Fraisthorpe on the Spring equinox.

Hunmanby Gap

Season: spring

Hunmanby Gap has a long sandy beach. It is situated just to the south of Filey and to the north of Reighton Gap. With its easterly outlook and views to Bempton cliffs to the south, there is much to explore here. You can see a couple of intact World War II pillboxes, as well as houses perched above the soft, eroding cliffs. The long strand is a joy to walk along and the beach is always clean and sandy, as is the bathing water. Dogs are welcome here all year round. The car park is open between April and October, but there are also parking spaces on the lane throughout the year. The cafe is seasonal too, with all the usual offerings. If you are walking north towards Filey, keep an eye out for the tide to avoid being cut off. This is a natural, unspoilt environment.

What the beach means to Evie.

The scene at Hunmanby Gap on the Spring equinox.