Sandwood Bay from Blairmore
Highlands
Sandwood Bay is reached only on foot, a 6.5 km walk across open Sutherland moorland from the car park at Blairmore, and that inaccessibility is precisely why it remains one of the wildest and most magnificent beaches in Britain. The bay curves for almost 2 km between two headlands, backed by a loch and dunes and presided over by the 65-metre sea stack of Am Buachaille at the southern end. The sand is pale pink from crushed shell and the water, when calm, takes on extraordinary tropical blue tones entirely at odds with the latitude of 58 degrees north. The moorland approach is gently rolling with a good track for most of the distance.
For dog owners this is a walk that demands planning but delivers an experience with few equals. The 13 km return distance rules out shorter-legged or less fit dogs, and the full commitment of a day should be made. Those who make the trip will find a beach with no facilities, no crowds and as much space as any dog could want. The John Muir Trust asks that dogs are kept on leads, as this is an active crofting estate with sheep, and the burns on the moorland approach provide ample water. Come fully self-sufficient. The walk is best in settled weather but the moorland light on Sandwood Bay even in grey conditions is something to experience.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 13.0 km (8.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Moorland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
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Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Sandwood Bay from Blairmore, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in HighlandsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Sandwood Bay from Blairmore dog friendly?
Sandwood Bay scores 9 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The beach has no facilities and virtually no crowds, just a mile of open sand, and the moorland approach has burns along the way to keep dogs watered. The John Muir Trust asks that dogs stay on a lead because the estate is actively crofted.
Can dogs be off lead at Sandwood Bay from Blairmore?
No. The John Muir Trust asks that dogs are kept on leads at Sandwood, on the moorland path and on the beach, because it is an active crofting estate with sheep. It's still a superb walk with a dog: long, quiet and with plenty of burns for a drink on the way.
What should I know before visiting Sandwood Bay from Blairmore with my dog?
This is a full-day commitment: the return distance from the Blairmore car park is about 13 km across open moorland, so it's best suited to fit, confident dogs rather than those who are older, very young, or short-legged. There are no facilities whatsoever at the beach, so you'll need to come entirely self-sufficient with food, water, and any kit you might need. The walk is best in settled weather, though the track is good for most of the distance and the moorland burns provide water stops along the way.
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What’s Nearby?
Beach1.5 mi awaySandwood Bay
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One of Britain's most magnificent and remote beaches: a vast arc of sand backed by dunes and the sea stack Am Buachaille, accessible only via a 4-mile moorland walk with dogs welcome all year on a lead, as the John Muir Trust asks on this working crofting estate.
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