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.

Sandside Bay

Season: summer

There are many visual stimuli at Sandside Bay before you even turn your attention to the beach. The bay itself is a welcome shelter for passing yachtsmen and there’s a characterful harbour at its entrance, still sheltering commercial fishing boats. One of these was pulling out to sea as I arrived early in the morning. Across the water is Dounreay Power Station. The management is now responsible for the upkeep of the beach. there are low dunes and machair behind the beach, in common with the wider coastal area hereabouts. For an illustration of the changing nature of any beach, compare the scene setting films and interviews from these two seasonal visits.

What the beach means to Roxanne.

Another day by the beach for Gerry.

Summer at Sandside Bay in Caithness.

Season: winter

Sandside Bay is sheltered by prominent headlands, so the beach is popular for surfers. Access is either via the dunes and Reay golf course or by the path next to the Burn of Isauld on the eastern side of the beach. To the west an eponymous burn also runs down to the beach. The characterful Reay harbour dates from 1830 and there are facilities for visitors in the hamlet of Reay. The pristine nature here is confirmed by its status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

What the beach means to Antony.

A wild afternoon at Sandside Bay.

Melvich

Season: summer

Since the River Halladale runs in along the eastern side, it’s best to approach Melvich beach over the central high dunes, which you can easily reach from a handy road and a car park which is set back among the machair next to the river. It’s an atmospheric walk, offering a splendid view of the wide beach and the breakers beyond. Terns were nesting in the high dunes by the river and visitors lounged in the sunshine below the dunes, their children playing in the pools left by the receding tide. It was an idyllic counterpoint to the snow during my previous visit.

Friends at the beach in the sunshine.

A summer day at Melvich beach.

Season: winter

Featuring Bighouse Lodge, the ancestral home of Clan Mackay, Melvich beach is one of North Scotland’s most attractive coastal locations. Backed by dunes and machair that is resplendent in wild flowers in early summer, the varied geography here includes the River Halladale, which runs down to the beach on its eastern side. There is wonderful walking in both directions from here. Access is good and there is a hotel and public toilets in the nearby village. The beach is popular with swimmers and surfers.

By the beach at Melvich Bay.

The scene behind the dunes.

Strathy Bay

Season: summer

For the best access to the beach at Strathy Bay, continue on the road to the east of the village, then turn up a narrow lane, which leads you to a car park high up above the tall dunes. Park by the visitor centre and walled burial ground, then enjoy a superb view as you descend via the machair through the dunes to the right hand end of the beach. Linger a while here, if the tide allows, as the eroded cliffs are a spectacular distraction. At this point, the beach is yours, with acres of space to enjoy next to the rolling breakers.

What the beach means to Brendan and Sandra.

A spectacular scene at Strathy Bay.