Our Scotland Holiday Cottages by the Sea
Scotland has an enormous variety of coastal landscapes. The west coast has sea lochs, islands and mountain scenery, while the north Highlands have long stretches of sparsely populated shoreline and beaches around places such as Durness and Assynt. The Moray Firth and Aberdeenshire coast combine beaches with fishing towns, harbours and castles, while Fife’s East Neuk is known for villages such as Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem and St Monans.
There is another side to the coast in southern Scotland. East Lothian has beaches and towns within easy reach of Edinburgh, while the Berwickshire coast includes St Abbs, Coldingham Bay and high cliffs around St Abb’s Head. On the opposite side of the country, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway provide miles of coastline around the Firth of Clyde and Solway Firth.
Scotland’s islands add even more choice. Skye, Mull, Arran, Lewis and Harris, Orkney and Shetland all have their own coastal landscapes, communities and places to visit. Ferries are part of everyday travel in many of these areas, so a cottage holiday can also include day trips to neighbouring islands. For an extensive list of activities to suit a range of group sizes and budgets, check out Visit Scotland.
Scottish Coastal Cottages from the Highlands to the Islands
The Highlands are an obvious place to start if you want to spend much of your holiday outdoors. Around the north and west coasts, places such as Lochinver, Ullapool, Gairloch and Durness provide access to beaches, walking routes and small coastal communities. The North Coast 500 also follows just over 500 miles through the northern Highlands, passing beaches, mountains and fishing villages along the way.
Argyll has another extensive stretch of western coastline, as well as ferry connections to islands including Mull, Islay and Colonsay. Oban is one of the main transport hubs and has ferry services to several islands. On Mull, Tobermory is known for its harbour, while Calgary Bay provides one of the island’s best-known sandy beaches.
Farther south, Dumfries and Galloway has coastal towns and villages around the Solway Firth. The Mull of Galloway forms Scotland’s most southerly point, while places such as Rockcliffe, Kippford, Portpatrick and the Machars provide very different places to explore.
On the east coast, the fishing villages of Fife are particularly well suited to exploring on foot. The Fife Coastal Path links communities around the shoreline, including the East Neuk villages. St Andrews adds its historic university, cathedral ruins and famous golf courses, as well as beaches on either side of the town.
Sea View Cottages and Beach Houses in Scotland
A sea view in Scotland can mean considerably more than a property overlooking a conventional seaside beach. Some cottages face fishing harbours, while others look across sea lochs, sounds or stretches of water towards neighbouring islands. In more remote locations, there may be very little development between the property and the shore.
Former fishermen’s cottages are found in many coastal communities, particularly around Fife, Aberdeenshire and the islands. Larger towns and ports provide apartments and town houses, while elsewhere you can find detached cottages, converted crofts and houses standing on their own close to the coast.
If you want to spend most days walking or visiting beaches, practical features such as a drying area, boot room and private parking can be particularly valuable. On the islands and in remote parts of the Highlands, it is also worth checking the distance to the nearest shop, pub or restaurant rather than assuming these will be within walking distance.
Families and groups can choose large Scottish coastal cottages with several bedrooms, generous kitchens and enough living and dining space for everyone. Some properties have enclosed gardens for dogs, while others include private hot tubs overlooking the surrounding countryside or coast. There are also beach houses and cottages with direct access to the shore.
For pet owners seeking dog friendly cottages, Scotland provides a huge amount of coast to explore. Access rights generally allow responsible access to most beaches, although dogs need to be kept under proper control and extra care is required around livestock, nesting birds and other wildlife.
Beach Cottages Near Scotland’s Best Coastal Beaches
Some of Scotland’s most striking sandy beaches are found on the west coast and islands. Luskentyre on Harris has a large area of pale sand overlooking the Sound of Taransay, while Calgary Bay on Mull has a sheltered sandy beach looking towards Tiree and Coll.
The Highlands have plenty more. Achmelvich near Lochinver has white sand and a sheltered bay, while Sandwood Bay in Sutherland is reached on foot rather than by road. Around Durness, Sango Sands brings the beach much closer to the village and local facilities.
There are excellent beaches elsewhere too. Nairn has long sandy beaches beside the Moray Firth, and Lossiemouth combines beaches with a harbour and town facilities. Aberdeen has a broad sandy beach and esplanade, while the Fife coast includes beaches around Elie and St Andrews.
In southern Scotland, Coldingham Bay has a sandy beach between rocky headlands on the Berwickshire coast. Ayrshire has beaches around Ayr, Troon and Girvan, while the Solway coast in Dumfries and Galloway includes smaller bays and beaches around places such as Rockcliffe and Sandyhills.
Facilities vary enormously. A beach beside a town may have parking, toilets and somewhere to eat within a short walk, while some Highland and island beaches have few or no facilities at all. Access can also involve single-track roads or a walk from the nearest parking area, so it is worth checking the practical details before setting out.
If you need some inspiration for your next beach holiday in Scotland, check out our guide for the best spots for wild swimming, the perfect way to kick off your coastal holiday with family or friends!
