Stunning Scottish beach that's like a ‘tropical untouched paradise' named among best in the world
SANDS AMAZING! Stunning Scottish beach that's like a 'tropical untouched paradise' named among best in the world
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A SCOTTISH beach has been crowned as one of the best in the world, new research reveals.
West Beach, in the Outer Hebrides, makes the top 25, alongside breathtaking locations including Australia's The Pass and Ao Maya in Thailand.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
7
West Beach in the Outer Hebrides has been named among the world's best
Credit: Alamy
7
The Western Isles are famous for their beautiful Atlantic beaches
Credit: Getty
7
The seaside spot boasts gorgeous white sand and blue waters
Credit: Getty
Situated off the northwest coast of Scotland, the seaside spot sits on the longest archipelago in the British Isles.
Award-winning travel publisher Lonely Planet, which compiled the league table, hailed West Beach as an "untouched paradise".
The stunning shoreline stretches for three miles and is a hit with locals and tourists alike.
One visitor gushed: "It feels like a tropical paradise and shows that there are gorgeous getaways right on your doorstep.
"The sand is white and the waters are blue, it's the perfect spot to catch a tan on a sunny day."
And to cool off from the rays, brave swimmers can take a dip in the chilly waters, which rarely get above 13C.
For visitors who don't like sand between their toes, the seaside spot boasts grassy dunes perfect for bird-watchers or hikers who are keen to take in the jaw-dropping views.
The beach is stunning all year round, however, it's been suggested that spring is the best time to visit due to the "burst of colour" from the abundance of wildflowers.
The beauty spot has good transport links to the mainland with a regular ferry service running from Oban.
There are also flights from Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Southampton to Stornoway Airport in Lewis.
WORLD'S BEST BEACHES
Source: Lonely Planet The Pass, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia Ipanema Beach, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Ao Maya, Ko Phi-Phi, Krabi, Thailand Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania Sarakiniko, Milos, Greece Chesterman Beach, Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada Cabo San Juan del Guía, Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona, Colombia Anse Source d'Argent, La Digue, Seychelles Playa Balandra, La Paz BCS, Mexico Punta Paloma, Tarifa, Cádiz, Spain Punta Rata Beach, Brela, Makarska Riviera, Croatia West Beach, Berneray, Outer Hebrides, Scotland Rauðasandur, Westfjords, Iceland Pink Beach, Padar Island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia Dueodde, Nexø, Bornholm, Denmark Keem Bay Beach, Keel, County Mayo, Ireland Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA Stanhope Beach, Prince Edward Island National Park, PEI, Canada Radhanagar, Swaraj Dweep, Andaman Islands, India Pacifico Beach, Siargao, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines Plage de Ta'ahiamanu, Mo'orea, French Polynesia Plage de Palombaggia, Corsica, France Gardner Bay, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Playa Manuel Antonio, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica Playa Bahía de las Águilas, Parque Nacional Jaragua, Dominican Republic
It's advisable to rent a car to fully explore the island and the ferry should be booked in advance.
West Beach bagged 12th place on the Lonely Planet chart, The Pass, Australia, Ipanema Beach, Brazil and Ao Maya, Thailand, respectively scooped first, second and third spots.
7
Surfers take to the water at the Pass in Australia as heavy rain hits the region
Credit: Getty
7
Ao Maya in Thailand was featured in award-winning film The Beach
Credit: Getty
7
Ipanema and Leblon Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, scooped second place
Credit: Getty
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Billionaire brothers acquire historic Scottish bus company
The company that describes itself as the UK's largest independent transport operator said it has taken over 'one of Scotland's longest-established, family-run coach companies with more than 70 years of experience'. McGill's Group said the acquisition of Prentice Westwood, which also operates bus routes, is part of its continued expansion in the coach travel sector. The seven-figure deal will see the respected West Lothian-based business join the portfolio of McGill's Group companies owned by former Rangers directors, Sandy and James Easdale. Businessmen James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) Tony Williamson, chief executive of McGill's Group, said the acquisition strengthens the company's offering in central Scotland and brings further expertise into the business. Mr Williamson said: 'Prentice Westwood has a terrific reputation as a quality transport provider in central Scotland, and we are very pleased to welcome them into the McGill's Group. 'During our discussions, I was very impressed by their team, ethos and operational standards - all of which made this an easy decision. 'We believe Prentice Westwood will play a significant role in supporting our continued growth across coach travel in central Scotland and beyond, and we look forward to welcoming our new colleagues into the business.' READ NEXT: Renowned Scottish chef sells historic landmark restaurant READ NEXT: This beloved Glasgow indie retailer is making a comeback All Prentice Westwood employees will become part of the McGill's Group, and it is anticipated the well-known brand will be retained following the completion of the deal. Robbie Prentice, owner of Prentice Westwood, said the move was an exciting next step for the business and its staff. Mr Prentice said: 'We are incredibly proud of what Prentice Westwood has achieved over the past 70 years as a family enterprise. 'Joining McGill's Group represents a fantastic opportunity to secure the long-term future of the business and for our team to be part of one of the most forward-thinking and ambitious transport operators in the UK. 'The values and vision of McGill's align closely with our own, and I'm eager to see the development of the business in the coming years.'
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Major update on plans for huge new Center Parcs resort with waterside lodges & subtropical swimming pool in Scotland
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR update on the plans for a huge new Center Parcs resort in Scotland has been revealed. Bosses at the holiday company announced today they have submitted a planning application for the development to the Scottish Borders Council. 5 An update on the plans for a huge new Center Parcs resort in Scotland has been revealed Credit: Center Parcs 5 The tourism giant plans to open the exciting new location by early 2029 Credit: Center Parcs 5 The plans feature waterslide lodges and a subtropical swimming pool Credit: Center Parcs The proposed site will include a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, retail outlets, bars, restaurants, and signature swimming and spa attractions. If approved, the Scottish village will also feature around 700 lodges. The total investment is estimated at between £350million and £400million. The submission of the planning application follows eight months of public consultation - including four statutory consultation events in Lilliesleaf, Denholm, Selkirk and Hawick. More than 1,000 members of the public engaged with Center Parcs representatives, providing feedback that has directly shaped and refined the final design proposals. Colin McKinlay, Chief Executive of Center Parcs, said: "We're thrilled to submit our planning application for our proposed Center Parcs village in Scotland. "Since unveiling our initial plans in November, it's been a busy and rewarding eight months of consultation. "We've listened carefully to feedback from local communities and stakeholders and have worked hard to shape a proposal that is both ambitious and sensitive to its surroundings. "We're incredibly grateful to everyone who took the time to engage with us. "Their insights have helped us develop a design that blends seamlessly with the natural landscape while delivering high-quality accommodation and leisure experiences for families. The new Center Parcs holiday resort that has opened in Europe "With many families in Scotland already travelling to our existing villages in England, a Scottish location would allow them to enjoy a premium holiday experience closer to home – while supporting jobs, businesses and tourism in the region." Center Parcs previously gave holidaymakers a glimpse into its Scottish resort plans - complete with waterside lodges and a subtropical swimming pool. The tourism giant plans to open the exciting new location by early 2029. And a fly-through video of the holiday village gives the public a first look at what it could become. 5 The planning application will now be considered by Scottish Borders Council in the coming months Credit: Center Parcs 5 The site lies three miles north of Hawick, Roxburghshire Credit: Center Parcs The footage takes viewers on a virtual tour of the site, three miles north of Hawick, Roxburghshire, featuring waterside lodges, apartments and lochs. There's also an Aqua Sana Forest Spa, a 'subtropical swimming paradise', sports plaza, and the planned Nature and Heritage Centre. If given the go ahead, the development is expected to support between 750 and 800 jobs during the construction phase and create approximately 1,200 permanent roles once operational. The planning application will now be considered by Scottish Borders Council in the coming months, with members of the public able to submit comments via the council's online planning portal. The planning application can be viewed on the Scottish Borders Council website here.
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
30 things you'll definitely remember if you went on holiday as a kid in the 80s and 90s
Buying your holiday on Teletext certainly seems a thing of the past TAKE ME BACK 30 things you'll definitely remember if you went on holiday as a kid in the 80s and 90s CHEAP Ryanair flights, AirBnb, iPads - holidays of today are practically unrecognisable from the 1980s and 90s. Back in the day, you were more likely to spend 10 hours sweltering in the air con-free car as your dad drove across the whole of France, with two cassette tapes for company the whole way. 5 We've rounded up 30 things you will remember from your holiday as a kid Credit: Getty If that's making you feel nostalgic, we've asked all the Millenials and Gen X-ers we know about their best (or worst) memories of holidaying abroad in the Eighties and Nineties. 1. Ridiculously long flight delays that were like two days of waiting. 2. Not being to wear any of your clothes for at least six weeks before going away as they were 'for holiday'. 3. Smoking on the plane - and being just five years old and sitting in the smoking section. 4. Shell suits to travel in, along with dayglow 80s leisurewear as well as jelly shoes, tasseled t-shirts and bermuda shorts. 5. Only having five cassettes tapes to play on rotation and then fighting over the cassette player in the car. Or having to just listen to local French/Spanish radio stations (and hearing bands like Vengaboys a year before the UK. 6. Buying your holiday off Teletext or from the classified ads at the back of the newspaper and having no idea where you are staying. 7. Severe sunburn in a desperate attempt to tan - and only parents only using Factor 2 suncream or even tanning oil. And then peeling sunburnt skin off your body including your face. 8. Always getting an ear infections from the pool. 9. Being terrified of drinking the tap water. Look around historic 200-year-old lido with stunning seaside views abandoned for decades 10. Being mystified by how to use you the French squat loos. 11. The smell of diesel and vomit when using the cross Chanel ferries. 12. Buying 200 fags in duty free, as well as knives, straw donkeys and dolls in local custom dress as souvenirs. 13. Naked Germans playing volleyball on a none nudist beach in France 14. Discovering calamari for the first time on holidays. 15. French milk which was always disgusting but there was no other option for your cereal. 16. Sleeping in the boot of the car on long journeys. 17. Foreign currency such as Francs and Pesetas - or even travellers cheques. 18. Having to make the most of the most basic games such as Travel Battleship, Connect Four and Space Invaders, or those early Nintendo games like Snoopy Tennis. 5 Hair wraps were a must Credit: Pinterest 5 The battle over the best Pez dispenser toy was common Credit: Etsy 5 Who needs to see pictures of the hotel before booking? Credit: Alamy 19. Parents having to change the colour of headlights and stick the GB stickers on car. 20. Spending all your holiday money on a hair wrap . 21. Your dad squeezing into a pair of budgie-smuggler speedos. 22. Being jealous of people with air con cars after having to get out yourself to cool down because of the sweltering journeys. 23. Getting left on the beach because there were so many kids. 24. Having no seat allocation on the plane but being able to take as may suitcases as you want. 25. Pez dispensers in France, long strips of individual sweets you can buy, giant red baby dummies made of rock. 26. Putting Sun In or lemon juice in your hair so it would go blonde. 27. Having pen pals that you would write to all summer then never again. 28. Getting the massive map out in the car which took up the whole space to find out where on earth you were going. 29. Having to buy phone cards or find the nearest internet cafe. 30. Buying a copy of the Sun from two days ago to find out the football scores.
