Scotland may be well known for its rugged natural beauty, but white sand beaches aren’t often the first thing people think of.
From the Scottish Highlands to the Borders, the country is bursting with attractions from castles to glens but our beaches have plenty to offer too.
Along the coastline, there are a number of fine white sand beaches which can rival those in the Maldives - even if the weather is unlikely to be as nice.
So if you’re looking for stunning beach scenery, without buying a plane ticket, here are 13 of Scotland’s best white sand beaches.
13. Balnakiel Beach, Sutherland
There are several Durness Beaches with Balnakeil and Sangomore said to among the more accessible. In particular, Balnakeil Beach has large dunes with white sands and can be found near Cape Wrath in the very north of the country. | estivillml - stock.adobe.com