Wild Swim Atlas

Sea and rock pools in Scottish Highlands

10 sea and rock pools you can swim in across Scottish Highlands, each checked for public access.

10 spots listed10 sea and rock pools

10 spots in Scottish Highlands

Public sea bathing

Nairn (Central)

Sea pool
Nairn, Nairn

Designated bathing water on the Moray Firth beside Nairn.

Public sea bathing

Nairn (East)

Sea pool
Nairn, Nairn

Designated bathing water on the Moray Firth beside Nairn.

Public sea bathing

Rosemarkie

Sea pool
Rosemarkie

Designated bathing water at Rosemarkie on the Moray Firth.

Yes, seasonal

Dunnet

Sea pool
Dunnet Beach, Dunnet

Dunnet is a designated sandy bathing beach on the north coast of Scotland.

Yes, seasonal

Thurso

Sea pool
Thurso Beach, Thurso

Thurso Beach is a sandy designated bathing water beside Thurso, extending from Rockwell Point to Little Ebb.

Public bathing beach

Dornoch Sands

Sea pool
Dornoch Beach, Dornoch

Dornoch is a 4 km sandy bathing beach on the Dornoch Firth.

Yes, seasonal

Gairloch Beach

Sea pool
Gairloch, Gairloch

Designated sandy bathing beach south of Gairloch village, used for swimming, rowing, kayaking and snorkelling.

Yes, seasonal

Sand Beach

Sea pool
Big Sand, North Erradale

Designated sand and shingle bathing beach beside Big Sand, west of Gairloch, used for swimming, boating and snorkelling.

Swimming permitted

Achmelvich

Sea pool
Achmelvich beach, Achmelvich

Achmelvich is a designated bathing water in a small, shallow Highland sea bay.

Swimming possible

Sandwood Bay

Sea pool
Ullapool

Sandwood Bay is a remote Atlantic beach backed by dunes and Sandwood Loch.