Scotland's best beaches named in the The Sunday Times…

Scotland's best beaches named in the The Sunday Times top 50 guide ahead of summer

Scotland's beaches have been praised as some of the best in the UK in The Sunday Times 50 Best Beaches Guide.

As we roll into July, we're hoping for some scorching sun this month so we can head to the beach. If you're not abroad, Scotland can offer a golden coast along with a rugged landscape only found here. If it weren't for the unpredictable Scottish weather, we would wonder why you would want to go anywhere else.

The Sunday Times have released their list of the 50 best beaches in the UK, and nine of them are in Scotland. Unsurprisingly, most of them are in the Highlands which boasts a beautiful scenery, a chance to spot wildlife and can be a breathe of fresh air for those travelling from cities such as Glasgow. Even travelling across Scotland and up north can take your breathe away - after all, it's that sense of mythical wilderness that people from all over the world flock to see.

Chris Haslam, the paper's chief travel writer, chose the top 50 out of more than 800 beaches he visited around the UK’s coast. The guide highlights the world-beating magnificence of our seaside, and gives readers a description of the scenery and setting, as well as all the practical information needed to plan a beach day, including car parking, toilets, refreshments, shops and accommodation.

Chris Haslam said: "This has been the 15th circumnavigation of the British coast for me, and the second for my Jack Russell assistant Dave T. Dog. Over eight weeks we've seen sunrises and sunsets, sand and shingle, surfed with dolphins and kayaked with seals.

“We've navigated canyon-like lanes to empty coves, queued to get onto urban hotspots, and in one case swam through a tunnel to reach an otherwise inaccessible bay. This is the most comprehensive and detailed beach guide available and it proves that, when the sun is shining, our beaches are the most beautiful on earth."