Embo Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach located near the town of Dornoch on the NC500 and is an often-overlooked gem of the east coast of Scotland.
If you’re looking for a beautiful sandy beach with stunning views, Embo Beach is a must-visit, with its wide expanse of sand, stunning coastline, and peaceful atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
This is one of our favourite beaches on the North Coast 500 due to how quiet this white sandy beach is.
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A Complete Guide to Visiting Embo Beach on the NC500
Embo Beach is the perfect place to go 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 Embo Beach as well as the following
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
We use the below booking platforms to plan our trips. We hope you find them useful too!
If you are planning to camp around the Dornoch area, check out the campsite in Dornoch.
How to get to Embo Beach
Embo Beach is located just a short drive from Dornoch. If you’re driving from Inverness, take the A9 north and turn onto the A949 (Dornoch Firth Bridge). Follow this road through Dornoch and take the left turn onto the A949 (Embo Road). Continue along this road until you reach Embo village. The beach is signposted from here.
If you’re taking public transportation, you can take a train from Inverness to Tain and then catch a bus to Embo.
NC500 Motorhome and Campervan Scheme
The NC500 Motorhome Scheme, officially known as the Highland Campervan and Motorhome Scheme, was launched by the Highland Council on July 1, 2024. This innovative initiative is designed to address the growing number of motorhomes and campervans traveling along the popular North Coast 500 (NC500) route, ensuring that their impact on the local environment and communities is managed sustainably.
The scheme offers a voluntary seven-day pass costing £40, inclusive of VAT. This pass grants motorhome and campervan users access to 12 designated overnight parking locations along the NC500 route, including scenic spots like Torvean Car Park in Inverness, Nairn Harbour, Dunnet Head Car Park, and Ullapool Latheron Car Park.
These parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 PM to 8 AM, with a 72-hour no-return policy at each location. This ensures that the facilities are used responsibly and that a larger number of travellers can benefit from them.
Overall, the NC500 Motorhome Scheme provides a structured and sustainable approach to motorhome travel in one of Scotland’s most scenic and popular areas. We think this is a great idea and encourage everyone to take advantage of it if you are looking to explore this road trip soon.
Read all about this new scheme in our complete guide to the NC500 Motorhome Scheme here.
For more information or to purchase a membership, travellers can visit the Highland Council’s official website.
Things to Do at Embo Beach
Embo Beach is a great place for a day out with the family. The beach is wide and sandy, making it perfect for building sandcastles and playing games. As much as the sea will be cold, it is lovely for a refreshing dip and if you have a stand up paddle board, it is a beautiful spot for a paddle.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a walk along the beach to nearby Loch Fleet. This beautiful loch is home to a variety of birdlife, including ospreys and herons. You can also see seals and sometimes dolphins in the water. There are many walking trails near the beach, so you can enjoy a peaceful walk while taking in the stunning views.
Embo Beach is popular for those who enjoy wild swimming and in the summer it is busy with locals and tourists enjoying the warmer, brighter weather.
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!
Are there any facilities at Embo Beach?
There are no facilities at Embo Beach, so be sure to bring everything you need with you. There are no shops or cafes nearby, so it’s a good idea to bring a picnic with you. You can also bring your own beach gear, such as chairs or umbrellas, if you want to spend a long day at the beach.
Embo Beach is a hidden gem on Scotland’s east coast. With its stunning views and peaceful atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Whether you’re looking for a day out with the family, a quiet spot to relax, or a place to enjoy water sports, Embo Beach is definitely worth a visit. Plan your visit today and experience the beauty of this amazing beach for yourself.
Things to do in Dornoch
There are many great things to do in Dornoch which is located not far from Embo Beach.
Visit the best chocolate cafe – Cacao Mountain Cafe
There are two of these amazing cafes on the NC500 route, one in Dornoch and one in Durness. They serve delicious hot chocolate, cakes and homemade chocolate bars. It will most likely be on of the more expensive places you will visit at £4.70 for a hot chocolate, but when it is pure melted chocolate it is well worth it!
Play Golf at Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Golf is a popular activity in Dornoch and with views over the Dornoch Firth, there is no better place for an 18 hole golf course in the area than Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
There is also a driving range and from here there is a great view of the Dornoch Castle Hotel sitting over the town.
Learn about the History at Dornoch Museum
The Dornoch Historylinks Museum shares the history of the town of Dornoch displaying information about the burning of Scotland’s last condemned witch, the impact of the Picts and the Vikings as well as a golf professionals workshop. As well as reading about the history, there are also quizzes, puzzles and the option to dress up. In addition there are translations in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Swedish.
This is one of Scotland’s few 5* star museums so it is worth a visit when you visit Dornoch.
There is also a driving range and from here there is a great view of the Dornoch Castle Hotel sitting over the town.
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.
Read more planning tips for the North Coast 500 in our full guide.
How Do I Get Around the NC500?
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 highly recommend hiring through Spaceship Rentals.
Browse the full range of vehicles on offer at Spaceship Rentals over here.
What Should I Pack for the NC500?
When it comes to packing for a trip along the NC500 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 7-day NC500 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.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see on the NC500, 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
Where Should I Stay on the NC500?
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 is the Best Travel Insurance for NC500
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 complete guide to visiting Embo Beach near Dornoch. If you have visited the NC500 recently, let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions let us know 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:
- The Best North Coast 500 Beaches – Unbelievable Beaches in Scotland
- 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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