Argyll boasts some fantastic beaches up and down its coast. Whether it is beautiful sandy beaches, shingle beaches or dunes, there is plenty of space to be enjoyed. Summer is the ideal time for a trip to the beach, where you can have a dip in the sea, play along the white sands or just enjoy a leisurely walk along the miles and miles of beach stretching out in front of you.
Tralee Beach
About a 50 minute drive north of Loch Melfort, Tralee Beach is the perfect destination if you are looking for a quick afternoon trip. It is a very sheltered beach, stretching round the head of the bay, with a shallow sea shelf, making it safe for kids to paddle and play in the shallows. You can park at Benderloch and there is a short signposted footpath that will take you down to the beach. At one end of the beach there are some shingles, with sand dunes at the other end.
Westport Beach
With the Atlantic crashing against it, Westport Beach has long been a very popular surfing spot. A 6 mile stretch of beautiful beach, there is plenty of space for everyone to enjoy this great stretch of coastline, whether it is surfers, dog walkers, or a family enjoying a fun day out. The Machrihanish Dunes are the backdrop to the beach, the perfect place to have fun in or shelter against if the wind picks up. The dunes have been made a Site of Scientific Interest by Scottish Natural Heritage, and they represent the biggest sand dune area in Argyll. Westport Beach is about an hour and a half south of Loch Melfort.
Calgary Bay
If you are feeling more adventurous and want to have a full day trip somewhere, Calgary Bay on Mull is the perfect place to go. Considered to be one of Scotland’s best beaches, Calgary has beautiful white sand, shallow turquoise waters and is in a lovely sheltered location. Although it is easily accessible, it still has a very wild and remote feeling to it and is great for spotting wildlife. The total journey to Calgary from Loch Melfort is around 3 hours in total, including the ferry journey from Oban to Craignure. The journey from Loch Melfort to Oban is only around 35 minutes. Make sure to check the ferry timetable, and plan your journey in advance. At the height of summer we would strongly recommend booking in advance so as to avoid disappointment. In summer there are around 10 sailings leaving in each direction, so you can choose the sailing that best suits your needs – the crossing takes around 50 minutes.
This is only a small selection of beaches that Argyll has to offer, but this should gives you taste of the stunning beauty that the West Coast of Scotland has on offer, all within reach of us here at Loch Melfort – the ideal starting point for exploring Argyll’s beaches.
Looking for somewhere to stay in Argyll so you can enjoy these beautiful beaches?
Our hotel in Arduaine is situated right on the coast, with stunning views and another great beach. We are family friendly, dog friendly and offer excellent facilities. Check our latest offers.