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.

Armadale Bay

Season:summer

Although there’s a fair walk over fields and a small bridge via the dunes to Armadale beach, it is well worth it. The tide was out on this occasion, offering space galore for any visitor. Being a flat beach, there are eddies and pools to paddle in, as you make your way out to the sea and the waves. This is a beach where you can lose yourself, finding you’ve walked its full length by the breakers before you realise it. In short, it’s a natural maelstrom for the senses. You will leave here lifted in your soul, with a new spring in your step, wonderful.

What the beach means to Jenny.

A spellbinding vista at Armadale.

Season: winter

Access to the beach at Armadale Bay is via a path by Armadale Burn, running down from the car park. The beach is beautiful, with soft white sand and there’s a picnic area by the old bridge. A headland on each side of the beach provides shelter and surfers are attracted to the waves here. Common to this stretch of Scotland’s glorious north coast, the natural setting is unspoilt and invigorating, with good walking in both directions from the beach.

A winter scene at Armadale.

Farr Bay

Season: summer

Farr Bay had only been visible across snowy hills during my previous winter visit, so this was a long-anticipated return, which didn’t disappoint. Fine sand underfoot leads via a river to the sea and there are acres of space in front of the high dunes. Fine weather was the order of the day on this occasion. There are beautifully textured and coloured stones at the back of the beach, as Jane explains below. This is a natural wonderland, a sensory masterpiece. These beaches along Sutherland’s North Coast have been under the radar for too long and those who stop here during their North Coast 500 trip will reap the rewards.

Jane and her stones.

What the beach means to Emma.

Natural beauty at Farr Bay.

Season: winter

Farr Bay is one of many white sandy beaches on the unspoilt north coast of Sutherland. It features strongly in Clan Mackay heritage and historically in the Strathnaver Clearances. Nowadays it is the epitome of peace and quiet, easily accessed from the North Coast 500 tourist route via a gentle walk down from the car park by the A836. The beach is popular in the summer months for surfing and other water sports. There are fine views out to sea and this area is a haven for wildlife, including golden eagles, other seabirds, otters and seals. Nearby Bettyhill has shops and facilities for visitors.

A snowy beach, set in a natural wonderland.

Skinnet Beach

Season: summer

Having only looked across to the Rabbit Islands from way above the beach in the snow last December, it was a pleasure to drop down on this visit to the secluded little Skinnet beach, with crofting strips still visible behind. It is a mixed strand, with sea-shaped pebbles and stones behind the powdery sand by the water. Looking out to Talmine Bay and the three islands offers a varied topography, which includes the Kyle of Tongue. As Sarah testifies in her testimony, this is a place of great tranquility.

What the beach means to Sarah.

Peace and quiet beside Talmine Bay at Skinnet beach.

Season: winter

Skinnet beach is located just below Talmine and looks out to Rabbit Islands and Eilean Nan Ron (Island of the Seals) in Talmine Bay. This is a tranquil spot, but access is straightforward from the nearby road. The sand is soft and fine and there’s a breakwater just to the north of this attractive beach. There is a varied geographical setting, with headlands, a river estuary and fine sea views.

The scene above Skinnet beach in winter.