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Discover the best beautiful beaches near Inverness, these unspoilt, natural open spaces are just waiting for you to enjoy. Updated for 2025
We have picked our top 5 beautiful beaches near Inverness beaches. These beautiful beaches offer silver sands to shingle, romantic strolls, sand dunes, breathtaking views, rock pools, dolphins & of course the chance to indulge in some splashing about in the sapphire sea. Inverness is perfectly located for your day at the beach, make sure you take an Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa picnic, the perfect accompaniment. Plus a new section on the top beaches on the North Coast 500 and the Moray Firth Circular to help you make the most of your road trip.
Nairn Beach
Nairn was loved by the Victorians, who believed the seawater had healing powers. Nairn is known as one of the sunniest and driest places in Scotland!. Behind the beach there is a promenade which is great for a stroll, to enter the beach, you walk through the low sand dunes to this lovely wide stretch of silver sand has often caused a cameraman filming the golf at Nairn links to pan out across the beach and coastline.
The beach is generous in size, it stretches from Nairn Golf Club in the west end to Harbour in Fisherstown, so much space no issue social distancing here!! It is covered with soft shimmering silver sand, set against sapphire clear sea. What more can we say, it really is that lovely! Don’t miss this charming wee foodie spot James at the Putting Green on Marine Road in Nairn a short stroll from the beach, this wee gem deliver delicious sweet treats, artisan ice cream, cakes & waffles!
Plus the view out across the Moray Firth is stunning, it is very popular with wildlife, Nairn Beach has its own resident school of Dolphins that love these waters. A great beach for everyone, a romantic walk at sunset, family fun on the beach or wildlife watching Nairn beach has it all. It is only a 25 minute drive from the Palace Hotel & Spa in Inverness.
Dores Beach
Dores Beach is the most northerly beach on Loch Ness, you can stand on the shoreline and look down the Loch, get a real feel for its immense size! This wee gem is hidden away at the top of Loch Ness, a beady eyed passenger may spot Dores on their journey north up the A82, as it’s on the other side of Loch Ness.
A wee bit off the beaten track. Dores is famous for being home to famous Loch Ness monster watcher Steve Feltham who has been living Lochside since 1991 watching for Nessie! The beach is a pebble beach, it stetches to Torr Point and is popular for walkers, there are some great views.
A trip to Dores Beach is great addition to a trip to Loch Ness, go for a walk and the take a Jacobite cruise at locks at Dochgarroch or a Beastie Boat just a few minutes drive south of Dores on Loch Ness alternatively you can make the short drive down the Loch to Urquhart castle. Even better Dores is only 9.5 miles from Inverness a short 20minute drive.
Rosemarkie Beach
Rosemarkie Beach is on the Black Isle, there is a mix of shingle and sand but it’s great for young kids because the water is not too far from access to the road. Not far to walk but a lovely place to sit/play in the sand/shingle – throw stones into the water, scour the rock pools for sea creatures which is great for the kids. The beach is a good size for a walk, you may spot the Dolphins that call this area home!
Don’t miss the Crofters Beach Cafe full of yummy delights and ice cream cones, playground and ice cream nearby too. Plus benches to take in the view with your ice cream or coffee. Link to Rosemarkie Beach. Approx 15 miles.
Fortrose Beach
Is more shingle than sand depending on the tide but it is people and dog friendly. There are spectacular views of Fort George and the Fortrose Cathedral is a must to walk around. You can also walk out to Chanonry Point going through the golf course it is an excellent place to see Dolphins.
The Dolphins live in this area and can be seen at any time however they are usually best spotted just after low tide. There are the essential Café and pub nearby too! Link to Fortrose Beach. Just a short drive from Inverness, only 14 miles.
Findhorn Beach
Findhorn is charming coastal village with a strong salmon fishing, links to Scandinavia and a proud ship building history. You can learn more at the Findhorn Ice House & Heritage Center, this is open daily 2pm till 5pm. Take a trip to Findhorn and explore the quaint village, charming harbour and magnificent beaches on Findhorn Bay.
Findhorn Bay has magnificent sweeping beach, at first the beach is single when you go down to the bottom and turn the corner it opens up into a massive sandy beach, ideal for a long walk, laying out your picnic blanket and of course splashing about in the sea!
Plus it gets better, Findhorn is also a hot spot for birds, with Ospreys as regular visitors, this year they have also spotted even more rare sights including a pair of Avocets and Egrets!! Findhorn is also popular with Otters who can regularly be spotted near the salt marsh at Culbin sand and seals!
There is an ice cream parlour with views across the bay & fish n’ chip shop!! There are plenty of water base activities, visit Findhorn Marina and the chance to cruise on the Moray Firth.
If you have had enough of the beach jump in the car for half an hour and explore Culbin Forest. This gorgeous forest is just begging to be explored there are several paths, including Hill 99 tower viewpoint where you can climb the tower and take in the majesty of the forest and the coastline.
You can bring your bikes and there even a couple of bridal paths. The forest is crisscrossed with paths, check out here for maps! Plus car parking is only £2 per day, with public toilets on site.
Make sure you plan a day trip to Findhorn from Inverness, it’s only a short 30 mile drive.
Stay longer and explore all these fabulous Highland beaches, you will take in stunning views, amazing birds and sealife and of course a few ice creams! They really are unique, crowd free, unspoilt places to enjoy. For even more information about our beautiful beaches link to our Beach information.
Top Beaches on the North Coast 500
If you are planning a road trip during the Spring or Summer then you wont want to miss these beautiful beaches on the North Coast 500. They are perfect for your Spring stroll or Summer dip in the sea!
NC500 West Coast Beaches
Applecross Bay, Clachtoll & Achmelvich Beaches ( best at low tide), Clashnessie Bay at Lairg (a small, sandy, quiet and beautiful beach) and Balnakiel
NC500 North Coast Beaches
Balnakiel Beach close to Durness ( a super example of a wide, white sand, Scottish beach plus it is next to the wildness of Cape Wrath, Sango Sands at Durness and nearby Durness off the North Coast 500 visit Smoo Cave, Ceannabeinne Beach ( has a zip line open Easter to October), Coldbackie Beach (which is a bit hidden from view but well worth the walk to explore its sand dunes, beach, super rock pools and views to the Islands).
Strathy Bay, near Melvich ( known for its views of the peatland firth, the wildflower display in the Summer and a simply stunning beach), Sandalwood Bay Beach and Torrisdale Beach the sandy one not its nearby neighbour the pebbly Torrisdale beach, watch for Otters!
NC500 East Coast Beaches
Dornoch Beach (a fabulous example of golden sand beach, perfect for a windswept stroll, plus a lovely historic town with lots of welcoming shops and restaurants before continuing on towards Inverness), Rosemarkie Beach ( near Fortress oil the Black Isle, lovely beach, plus the famed Dolphin mile, walk the mile to Chanonry Point and spot the Dolphins that call this area home.
Then try the beachside restaurant and bar to make a day of it) Golspie Beach ( nestled near this lovely wee fishing village, known for its calm seas is Golspie Beach a lovely spot to relax), Sinclair’s Bay, known locally as Reiss Beach (simply stunning beach with castles at either end of the sandy beach, the Southside of the beach is more protected and great for a picnic.
Stay with Us
The beaches near Inverness are beautiful, unspoilt, crowd free and a great place to relax and unwind! We hope you will come and discover these special spaces soon! Stay with us at the 4 Star Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa, ideally located on the River Ness, opposite Inverness Castle.
Book your Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter escape in Inverness at the Palace see here for your seasonal offers. Remember #bookdirect for your best offers. Just call our reservations team on 01463 22 32 43 or email us at Palace or book online. As our guest you will enjoy free Wi-fi and the newly refurbished leisure club and swimming pool.
