186. Peedie Sands

One of Scotland’s great north coast beaches and surely an instant favourite for anyone prepared to put in a small amount of effort to follow the short but stunning cliff-top walk around the south-western corner of Dunnet Head from Dwarwick Pier. Great effort has been made to tidy up the remote pier with some picnic tables and tarmac paths, and it is a wonderfully peaceful spot even before following the rising path around the headland. Peedie Sands is an instant wow factor beach, looking down from high above as it first comes into view. Initially, a route down to the sand looks impossible, but to be fair it soon becomes obvious and it only takes a little boulder scrambling to make it down to sea level. When the tide is out, as it partially was this morning, it’s an idyllic location and a definite candidate for beach of the year.