161. Sanna Bay

I know Sanna Bay is the A-list beach of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, sitting proudly at the very western edge of the British mainland, so I am more than excited to be setting off after breakfast at the Kilchoan Hotel for what I expect to be the highlight of my trip. For such a remote beach, the car park is surprisingly large, but I am the first car here and I’m able to enjoy the beach by myself. It’s a sprawling, expansive bay, peppered with rocks and pools, and flanked by an impressive dune network affording views across the water to the Small Isles. It’s a totally Instagrammable location, and easy to see why it’s so popular. For me, it’s also the start of a long hike that will take me south, past more beaches and up to the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. As I walk across the bay from one end to the other, an otter scuttles in front of me, heading from the dunes to the shore. When I return, four hours later, a number of families are enjoying time on the beach, relaxing or walking their dogs. It’s that kind of day, 22 degrees, clear blue skies and midge-free. It’s just about the best place to be in the world right now.