Achmelvich Bay, with its white soft sand and the clearest blue water, is a stunning beach that attracts thousands of visitors every single year. Located in one of the most remote regions of Scotland, Achmelvich Beach has some of the most incredible scenery you will come across in the country. So that has us asking, is Achmelvich Beach the best beach on the NC500?
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Destination North Coast Map
Make sure you have all the resources you need to make the most of your trip to the North Coast of Scotland. Our Destination North Coast Map is the perfect addition to any traveller’s toolkit. With detailed information on all the best spots, along the NC500, this map is your ultimate guide to exploring the rugged beauty of Scotland’s north coast.
Complete Guide to Achmelvich Beach
Achmelvich Beach is the perfect place to go on the NC500 on a warm, sunny day either for a walk around the footpaths or for a dip in the sea. In this guide, we will discuss the best time to go to Achmelvich Beach as well as the following
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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What is Achmelvich Beach?
Achmelvich Beach is an award winning beach on the NC500 with white soft sand and crystal clear blue water. It is the most popular and well known beach on the NC500 that is visited by thousands of visitors every year.
The beach itself is sheltered by rocky outcrops on either side and spiky tufts of Marram grass behind it.
Where is Achmelvich Beach?
Achmelvich Bay is located in Sutherland on the north west coast of Scotland. Situated only a short 3 mile drive north from the small fishing town of Lochinver, Achmelvich beach sits in one of the most remote parts of the country. This beautiful, scenic beach could have you believing you are abroad somewhere tropical, especially on a warm day, and not at the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean.
There are no shops or amenities in Achmelvich, only accommodation options so you will need to travel to Lochinver for food shopping at the local Spar.
How to get to Achmelvich Beach?
Achmelvich Beach sits at the end of a single track road off the B869. Follow the narrow road past Loch Fasg an t-Seana Chlaidh, using the passing places to share the road if you meet another vehicle. You will pass the NC500 Pods on your left hand side as the road starts to flatten. Follow the road past the campsite and you will see a small sign directing you to the beach car park on your right. The car park is free and can become very busy during the summer months. There are toilet facilities here and a Youth Hostel sits nearby.
Just off the road that you will have driven down to reach the car park is a short boardwalk used to access the beach, making it accessible for those with mobility impairments to view the beach.
Why Should I Visit Achmelvich Beach?
Achmelvich Beach is commonly known as the best beach on the NC500 which is why it is such a popular place to visit by those travelling the NC500. The road to access the beach isn’t the easiest due to how narrow it is but it is well worth the drive. The white sand contrasting with the turquoise blue water makes it one of the most beautiful beaches to wild swim on the NC500. Due to how secluded and sheltered the bay is, it is popular with those who enjoy watersports.
If you don’t fancy getting in the water, there are some beautiful walking trails around the beaches, one of our favourites being the trail to the right of the beach that takes you over the hill to a secluded cove on the other side. This beach is just as beautiful but a lot quieter and you don’t have the view of the caravans behind the beach.
We would highly recommend getting yourself a Seashell dryrobe for keeping warm when you get out of the icy cold water! They even have pockets to store your keys!
When Should I Visit Achmelvich Beach?
The best time to visit Achmelvich Bay would be during the summer months, due to the temperatures being higher and more comfortable for being on the beach. That being said, this is when the beach is at its busiest and it doesn’t feel as wild and isolated. This is why we would prefer to visit in the Spring or Autumn months, when it is a bit quieter yet still just as beautiful. Well behaved dogs are allowed on Achmelvich Beach all year round as long as they are kept under control and the owner cleans up any mess that they make.
Before You Leave on the North Coast 500
Before you head off on your trip around the NC500, there are certain things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth trip. These include how to get around the route, including being aware of single track roads, etc., what to pack for Scotland, where to stay along the route and what travel insurance to book.
How Do I Get Around?
Given the remote location of the NC500 and the majority of the sights along the route, the best way to get around this road trip is by driving. There are of course other methods that are still popular, such as cycling and hiking, however, if you have a short amount of time on the route, neither of these are very suitable.
As for public transport, the use around the NC500 is understandably difficult due to how remote each location is, however, with the increasing problem of congestion along the route, this is a good option to research if you have time. If it is something that interests you, you can read a public formed itinerary of how to get around the NC500 by public transport over here.
If you are looking to rent a cosy, reliable and luxurious campervan for your trip along the NC500, we recommend hiring through Spaceships
Browse the full range of vehicles on offer at Spaceships over here.
Where to Stay on the NC500
There is a wide range of accommodations around the NC500 route, so you will not be short on options. Depending on how long you are spending in each area will depend on how long you spend in that location. It is worth bearing in mind that some accommodations will require you to stay a minimum number of nights so it is worth researching this when you are planning your North Coast 500 itinerary.
Our new book North Coast 500: Where to Eat and Stay shares the best places to eat and stay around the NC500 and includes whether places are dog friendly, accessible, have wifi and EVC and whether they cater to dietary requirements.
The remoteness in the highlands of Scotland will leave you with little choice of accommodation in each location along the NC500, however, there are still enough options to choose from to ensure a comfortable trip. These are mostly in the shape of B&Bs, Airbnbs, converted cottages and other quirky accommodations.
Depending on how adventurous you are, there may be more accommodation choices than just the above, often with an even better view. Caravan and camping sites are abundant along the NC500, drawing camping enthusiasts from all over the world. For some of the most spectacular bedside scenery along the North Coast 500, we recommend packing a tent and getting in touch with nature for the week.
As we travelled along the North Coast 500, camped in our trusty Vango tent on a mixture of campsites and wild sites. Wild camping is a fantastic way to enjoy the beauty of the highlands, however, it must be done respectfully. Read our full guide to Wild Camping if you wish to give it a go so you know everything you need to for a comfortable and sustainable trip.
What Should I Pack?
When it comes to packing for a trip to Scotland there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your 5-day Heart 200 road trip you will probably experience at least a drizzle of rain. Due to this, the number one item on any Scotland packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
As for the rest of the year, the temperature in Scotland and the central heartlands is reasonably mild for most of the year. During the winter months, you will most likely experience snow, however, temperatures usually sit around freezing, so it is not too cold. For your reference, the average temperatures in Scotland are listed below during each season.
Spring (March, April, May) – 5-10 degrees C
Summer (June, July, August) – 15 degrees C
Autumn (September, October, November) – 5-10 degrees C
Winter (December, January, February) – 0-5 degrees C
As you can see, the weather never really gets above the teens, with anything over 25 degrees C considered a heatwave. The best way to pack for your trip to the highlands is with layers that can be added and removed as you need them. You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the colder months and will most likely need sunscreen to protect you on the long days in the open.
It is also important to stay hydrated, especially when you are out exploring in the marvellous landscape of Scotland. We use Water to Go water bottles to fill up with water from running streams when we are hiking.
We would also recommend taking our NC500 guidebooks with you on your journey. This will help you plan your itinerary and ensure that you don’t miss out on any of the best places to go on the NC500. Our Destination NC500 guidebook is well paired with NC500 Where to Eat and Stay and you can buy the combo here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around Scotland, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for the North Coast 500
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, a guide to visiting Achmelvich Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. Let us know if you have been to Achmelvich Bay in the comments below.
As always, sharing is caring so make sure to share this photo guide with your family and friends and inspire them to head off on their own North Coast 500 adventure. If you are planning the trip for yourself, make sure you have a look at the rest of our Scotland content for more inspiration to our beautiful home country.
When you set off on your own adventure, be sure to tag us in your photos on Instagram and we will share them with the rest of our community. In the meantime, why not follow us over there to see what we are currently up to and keep up with us on our Instagram Stories.
Now Read:
- Unmissable Things to do on the NC500 Route
- North Coast 500 Packing Guide – What You Will Need for the NC500
- 7-day North Coast 500 Itinerary – FREE, Detailed and Unforgettable
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Thank you for sharing this informative guide! I’ve been wanting to visit Achmelvich Beach, and your tips on the best times to go and what to expect are super helpful. Can’t wait to explore the stunning views and maybe even try some water activities!