Scotland's favourite beaches. Part 1

There are plenty of wonderful beaches on the island famously known as “Scotland in miniature”, including the ones at Whiting Bay, Kildonan, and Kilmory, but nothing beats that first touch of sand on bare feet and paws. The beach at Brodick is a short drive from the ferry terminal and the ideal place to stretch your legs after the ferry journey and before travelling on to where you are staying on the island. The beach is a mix of sandy/stony, and there is a playpark and toilets nearby. Walk on to Brodick Castle and Gardens if you fancy lingering longer. Rough in parts for buggies.

Pit stop: The dog-friendly Crofters’ bar and bistro does fabulous fish and burgers (veggie and otherwise), and the new pizza/ice cream bar opposite the smaller Co-op is proving a big hit. Don’t forget to call in at James of Arran for emergency stores of divine handmade chocolates.

ALISON ROWAT

Lemahamish, Aberfoyle

What makes it special? River pool in a forest with a small sandy beach

Back in the 1980s, when kids went swimming we called it swimming. Nowadays, it would be called wild swimming. Anyway, this is where we went. A pool in the River Forth close to Cobleland campsite, off the A81 to Aberfoyle. It's shallow enough for younger children at the river's edge, and teenagers can leap off the river bank and dive into the deeper sections. It's a quiet spot even on the sunniest days and is the perfect spot for a picnic. I remember my friend diving in wearing white football shorts – unfortunately for him they immediately become transparent. Embarrassing for a teenager but you'll know better, won't you?

Pit stop: Nothing here, which is the joy of the place. There are pubs and shops a couple of miles away in Aberfoyle.

GARRY SCOTT

The West Sands, St Andrews

What makes it so special? The stunning location and historic backdrop

This beautiful beach became a cinematic icon when it featured in the closing credits of the Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire, though it has been always been a star of the Fife coast. Stretching for two miles of uninterrupted golden sands and dunes, the West Sands is busy all year round with walkers, dog walkers and water sport enthusiasts. But what makes this place extra special is the backdrop: what other small town beach can boast the most famous gold course – and clubhouse – in the world and an ancient university? On a crisp winter’s day there are few places I’d rather be than walking on these glorious sands, which also brings back memories of happy childhood summers spent building sandcastles, paddling in the chilly waters of the North Sea and sheltering from the ever-present wind. Sheer bliss.

Pit stop: The Sea Shell Café, right behind the dunes, is a no-frills favourite serving traditional seaside treats, including Janetta’s ice cream and generous bags of chips. Also stocks buckets and spades.

MARIANNE TAYLOR

Portobello, Edinburgh

What makes it so special? Sun (sometimes) sea and sand combine to give an ozone blast to Auld Reekie

Those of a certain vintage may still hanker after the long-gone open-air pool and the funfair, but there's still plenty going for the capital's beach resort. Two miles of spotless, golden sands, and clean safe waters for bathing. Here's where Edinburgh's douce myth is exploded with beach volleyball, kayaking, windsurfing, jetskiing and more taking place most hot days. At times the prom can be even more crowded than the beach, with cyclists interweaving with prams and wheelchairs as young and old take in the sights and sounds. Even away from the sand there's plenty for the kids to do, with a playpark and an amusement arcade always popular.

Pit stops: Along the prom there's Miro's, the Esplanade (known to one and all as the Espy), the Beach House and the Dalriada bar all worth a visit, as well as ice-cream, burger and fish and chip outlets. A five-minute stroll to the High Street and lunch at Guild of Foresters is highly recommended.

DREW ALLAN

Loch Morlich, Aviemore

What makes it special? A favourite spot for photographers, you'll often spot photos of a mobbed Loch Morlich in spring with the Cairngorm dusted with snow in The Herald

People chuck the term Caribbean about when discussing Scotland's beaches. It's justified here. The sand is soft and deep, and the loch is fringed by pine trees. It's Bonnie Scotland writ large. It's a dream for watersports fans and visitors can hire canoes and sailing dinghies and get lessons, too.

Pit spot: The Boathouse Cafe. Great for hot chocolates and warming up on a winter's day. Aviemore, less than eight miles away, has plenty of eating and drinking options too. Try The Old Bridge Inn on Dalfaber Road.

GARRY SCOTT

Elie beach, Fife

What makes it so special? Pure relaxation, adventure, golf balls

Elie is one of the real jewels of the East Neuk of Fife. A wonderfully pretty little place that’s the perfect spot for a day out. And just for extra pleasure it’s got one of my favourite beaches. No, not the one in the middle of the village. Who wants to go there? I always prefer to head to the west of the village, dodge the flying balls as I cross the golf course and then settle down away from the crowds. The sand is beautiful, the views are amazing, at low tide there is endless exploration to be done among the rock pools … and if you get bored head to the cliffs at the far end and try the Chain Walk. Now that IS the best fun you can have with your shorts and T-shirt on!

Pit stop: Elie itself is stuffed with great places to eat and drink.

ANDY CLARK

Scotland's favourite beaches: Part 2

An Corran and Duntulm beaches, Trotternish, Skye

What makes it so special? Dinosaur footprints

Fossils from the Middle Jurassic period, roughly 174 million to 163 million years ago, are rare and this corner of Skye is one of the few places in the world where they can be found. The seaweed-covered rocks of An Corran beach at Staffin bear the three-toed impressions left by what is thought to be a family of megalosaurus 165 million years ago. The prints are between 30cm and 55cm (12in-22in) in length and belonged to a formidable creature that stood up to 3m (10ft) tall. A short drive up the coast is a rocky tidal platform near Duntulm Castle which boasts a sauropod trackway, a dinosaur which was a distant relative of brontosaurus and diplodocus. The 170-million-year-old footprints criss-cross over one another, zigzagging across the vast sandstone and limestone slab. Some have distinct toe shapes on what were dustbin lid-sized feet. Welcome to the “dinosaur disco”.

Pit stop: Staffin Dinosaur Museum at Ellishadder. Opened by Dugald Ross in 1976, it showcases an impressive fossil and dinosaur-themed collection. Visit staffindinosaurmuseum.com

SUSAN SWARBRICK

Weekend days out: Scotland’s 15 Best Parks

Cullykhan Bay, Moray Firth

What makes it special? Everything. No really. Everything

I remember when I first went here, like it was just yesterday. We’d gone to stay with friends in not-too-far-away Turriff with our two-year-old, and Sally, our host, suggested we visit here, as our daughter would love it. So we did, and the image has been etched on my mind ever since. It’s a bit of a trek down the hill to get there but, believe me, it’s more than worth it. It’s a tiny beach tucked away in a deep inlet just round the coast from Pennan (you know, Local Hero … phone box). And it feels like you’ve found beachy perfection, and you’ve got it all to yourself. In fact, why am I telling you about it? No, don’t go there. You’ll hate it.

Pit stop: There’s not much nearby, so I’d say take a picnic. Go and visit Pennan, though. It’s lovely.

ANDY CLARK

Arisaig, Lochaber

What makes it special? The chance to find a piece of paradise

I know Arisaig is a place, not a beach. And I know there are tons of little beaches and inlets stretching for a good few miles along the coast as the road winds its way towards Mallaig. But, really, that’s the point. In this astoundingly beautiful part of the world there are literally dozens of beaches to explore (and if the first one you come across is taken, just stroll round the headland and another one will appear). With views to the islands of Eigg and Rum, and the whitest sand you’ll find outside the Caribbean, this really is as good as a day at the beach in Scotland ever gets. Oh, and don’t forget to explore the rock pools while you’re there.

Pit stop: There are a bunch of hotels and eateries in Arisaig itself, and along the road to Mallaig, so you should be OK (Mallaig itself isn’t short of places to eat either).

ANDY CLARK

Sandwood Bay, Kinlochbervie

What makes it special? Its remoteness. There’s a good chance you will be the only ones there

Some people call this the most beautiful beach in Britain; those who don’t call it the most beautiful beach in Britain haven’t been there. You’ll need a car to reach the path to the sand – there’s a car park at Blairmore, a few miles north west of Kinlochbervie. There’s a bit of walk across moorland to get to the beach itself (leave at least three hours to get there and back). But then: the reward. There’s about a mile of soft sandy beach in all and a rock stack, Am Buachaille – The Shepherd – standing at one end like an exclamation mark, but the great joy is that there’s none of the paraphernalia of more popular beaches – just you, the sand, the Atlantic at your feet and the whole of Sutherland behind you.

Pit stop: Ideal for a picnic before heading back to the car park, but there’s also The Old School Restaurant just down the road, which has outside seating and old-school fish and chips.

MARK SMITH

St Ninian's Isle and Levenwick, Shetland

What makes it special? Tranquillity

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to be given a whistle-stop tour of Shetland by Ann Cleeves, the crime author whose murder mystery books inspired the BBC drama series starring Douglas Henshall as brooding DI Jimmy Perez. Travelling north from Sumburgh Head at the most southerly tip of the Shetland mainland, there’s no shortage of breathtakingly beautiful coastline, but two spots remain indelibly ingrained in my mind. The magnificent golden sandy tombolo – a large natural causeway with sea on either side – that connects St Ninian’s Isle is glorious. Even on a dreich day nothing beats smelling the salty sea air and feeling the wind whip your hair as you stroll across the white sands. Another gem is Levenwick which inspired the fictional Ravenswick in Cleeves’s novels. It has a stunning, secluded beach where it’s nigh-on impossible not to kick off your shoes and go for a paddle. Bonus: St Ninian’s Isle and Levenwick are less than a 10-minute drive apart.

Pit stop: Mackenzie’s Farm Shop and Cafe at Aithsetter for top-notch grub rustled up using fresh local ingredients. Visit nortowerlodges.co.uk/mackenzies-farm-shop

SUSAN SWARBRICK

Weekend days out: Scotland’s best 15 hidden gem golf courses

Strathclyde Country Park, Lanarkshire

What makes it special? A beach in the heart of Lanarkshire

In my childhood this sandy strip adjacent to the loch in Strathclyde Country Park was known simply as “gran’s beach”. Not only was it just down the hill from my grandmother’s house in Bellshill but the site where the park now stands was once home to the mining village of Bothwellhaugh from which my maternal family hail. The Hamilton Palace Colliery – affectionately dubbed “the Pailis” – closed in 1959. Its residents departed and the village was demolished. Almost two decades later, in 1978, Strathclyde Country Park was officially opened. The beach is man-made but, on the days when the coast seems too far away and you just need to feel the sand between your toes, it does the job.

Pit stop: M&D’s theme park is only a stone’s throw away if you fancy candy floss or a toffee apple. Visit scotlandsthemepark.com

SUSAN SWARBRICK

Luskentyre, Harris

What makes it special? Arguably one of the most stunning beaches on earth, the vast, often deserted white sands of this island paradise seem to go on forever

No matter the season, weather conditions or time of day, Luskentyre on Harris’s wild west coast takes your breath away – sometimes literally when the wind gets up. To walk on this beach, surrounded by dune and hill, looking out to Taransay and the Atlantic beyond, is to acknowledge the smallness of humanity in nature’s vast canvas.

Sometimes you won’t see another soul as you traverse the sand down to the clear, sparkling aquamarine waters of the shore, and even when the weather is fine and the beach takes on a Caribbean rather than Hebridean hue, the sheer size of the place – not to mention Harris’s tiny population – means it never gets busy. True medicine for the soul.

Pit stop: Just 15 minutes south of Luskentyre, the Machair Kitchen overlooks another stunning beach, Seilebost, and serves some of the tastiest seafood on the island.

MARIANNE TAYLOR

Achmelvich, Lochinver

What makes it special? Remote sandy beach with small campsite off the beaten track

Within easy access of Lochinver, Hermit’s Castle can be found on the rocky headland, above the odd fishing boat lumbering lazily nearby. Family friendly but best for losing yourself from the world.

Pit stop: Youth Hostel and small campsite within bare-feet walking distance

SHAUN MILNE

Seacliff, North Berwick

What makes it so special? The remarkable mini harbour, hewn from the rock using a steam engine

Hush. Seacliff is one of East Lothian's most alluring of hidden gems. Don’t let the fact that you have to pay to park put you off exploring this marvellous privately-owned stretch of beach. The views out over the ruins of Tantallon castle and Bass Rock, would be lure enough, but there are other, more surprising delights. Its tiny harbour, the smallest in the UK, with room for only three small boats, carved out of the sandstone rock in the late 19th century. Or, hidden in the nearby trees, the facade of ruined Seacliff House, destroyed by fire in 1907.

Pit stop: Head along the coast to Canty Bay, where Drift, a cosy joint in shipping containers, perched on a cliff top, looks out over the Firth

VICKY ALLAN