Big Sand Beach
Highlands
Big Sand Beach is an enormous, wide sandy beach a short drive north of Gairloch on the Wester Ross coast, arguably even more impressive than the main Gairloch Beach. The beach is vast and almost always empty, with stunning views west to the Outer Hebrides. The name does it justice: this is a genuinely enormous stretch of pale sand backed by dunes and the Highland landscape.
No dog restrictions apply at Big Sand Beach. Year-round dog access. One of the finest off-lead beach environments in the Highlands: vast, empty and beautiful.
At a Glance
Beach Must-Haves
Elite Paws Luxury Dog Drying Coat
£28.99 View on Amazon
LumoLeaf Portable Dog Water Bottles
£24.29 View on Amazon
Mud Daddy 8L Portable Pet Washing Device
£49.99 View on Amazon
Dog Travel Bag
£33.99 View on Amazon
Dog Tie Out Stake and Run Cable
£17.54 View on Amazon
Dog Life Jacket
£29.68 View on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Big Sand Beach is about as dog friendly as it gets — it holds a perfect 10/10 rating and has no restrictions in place whatsoever. The beach is vast and almost always empty, making it one of the finest off-lead environments in the Highlands for dogs to roam freely.
Yes, dogs are welcome at Big Sand Beach throughout the entire year with no seasonal restrictions. Whatever time of year you visit, you and your dog can enjoy the full stretch of this enormous beach without limitation.
The beach itself has no facilities, so it's worth knowing that Gairloch village is around 3km away if you need cafes, shops or supplies. There's a car park at Big Sand off the road north of Gairloch, making access straightforward — just be prepared for a wonderfully remote and exposed west Highland setting with stunning views out to the Outer Hebrides.
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