07-07-2025
Hidden gem beach with smallest harbour in the UK crowned best in Scotland
Read on to find out the winner
SANDS GOOD Hidden gem beach with smallest harbour in the UK crowned best in Scotland
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A HIDDEN gem beach with the smallest harbour in the UK has been crowned the best in Scotland.
The Times and Sunday Times Best Beaches Guide was published this morning and names the top 50 spots across the country in 2025.
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This year's Scottish winner is the hidden gem of Seacliff Beach in East Lothian
Credit: Alamy
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Visitors can wander down to the sands and take in the stunning views of Bass Rock
Credit: Alamy
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The ruins of Tantallon Castle can be seen from the shore
Credit: Alamy
Chief Travel Writer Chris Haslam visited over 750 beaches and 51 resorts to help compile the list.
The guide is split into seven different areas of the country - Scotland, Northern Ireland, North England, East England, South England, Southwest England and Wales.
And this year's Scottish winner is the hidden gem of Seacliff Beach in East Lothian.
It lies just outside the beautiful seaside town of North Berwick and only 40 minutes from Edinburgh and under two hours from Glasgow.
It's a great spot if you want to avoid the crowds which flock to more popular beaches like Portobello and Gullane, as it attracts more surfers, horse riders and picnickers.
There is a £5 entrance fee for cars.
The beach is a sweeping arc of golden sand backed by dunes and grassy banks and scattered with rock pools for little ones to play in.
The waters are shallow and great for swimming.
It is home to what is thought to be the UK's smallest harbour, only accessible from the beach and thought to be used by a local crab fisherman.
Wander down to the sands and take in the stunning views of Bass Rock, famous for its colonies of gannets and lighthouse, and the ruins of Tantallon Castle.
Scotland's number one secret beach revealed
The water quality has been rated excellent by the guide.
It also has toilets and is dog-friendly.
The Times guide states: "Seacliff, west of Dunbar, is a private beach with a £5 entrance fee for cars, but it's worth the price of the ticket for the sheer cinematic drama.
"Hidden at the western end is the smallest harbour in the British Isles. About the size of a hotel pool, it was carved out of the sandstone in 1890 by Andrew Laidlay, the laird of the manor, using a steam engine and compressor.
"Then there's the burnt-out shell of Seacliff House, hidden in the woods, and, across Oxroad Bay, the gothic skeleton of Tantallon Castle, destroyed in 1651 after a 12-day bombardment by Oliver Cromwell's artillery.
"Meanwhile, Bass Rock, home to the world's largest gannet colony, floats offshore like a Bond villain's lair.
"Who knows what fresh intrigue awaits the curious visitor?"
Seacliff was previously voted the highest-rated dog-friendly beach by Bath retailer Showers to You after they analysed Google ratings and reviews for dozens across the country with no dog restrictions.
Visitors described it as 'perfect', 'atmospheric' 'stunning' and 'absolutely brilliant'.
Other Scottish beaches named on the list were Rhu Point in the Highlands, Spey Bay in Moray, and St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire.
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It is home to one of the UK's smallest harbours
Credit: Alamy
