Melvich Bay and Dunes.

Start. Melvich Beach car park.

Route. Melvich Beach car park - Melvich Beach - Halladale River - Melvich Beach car park.

Notes. Melvich Beach is a small stretch of unspoiled golden sand backed by grass covered dunes. The beach looks north with the ruinous Portskerra pier to the west and the overhanging cliffs of Rubha an Tuir to the east, emptying into Melvich Bay the waters of the Halladale River. This was a short walk over sandy paths through marram grass to an unspoiled gem.

We parked on the roadside next to the narrow track that leads to Melvich Beach car park, following the track we passed through a large gate, just before the next gate a narrow sandy path cut off to the left, this we followed to another gate, this we had to clamber over, we found ourselves in a shallow valley behind the dunes, a wide path lead towards the beach. This we followed the sound of breaking waves growing louder with every step, soon a gap in the dunes allowed access the arch of golden sand.

We slowly wandered along the tide line towards the mouth of Halladale River, the river then guided us inland as far as a long pedestrian footbridge, I’m not sure if this was open, it looked rather unsafe. That mattered not a jot, our route passed the bridge to join another sandy trod climbing through the dunes to join the track we descended earlier, all that remained to let said track guide us back to the car.

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home.

Melvich Bay and the cliffs of Rubha an Tuir.

Descending to Melvich Beach looking to the River Halladale with Bighouse Lodge to the left, the home of the Chief of Clan Mackay.

Sue strides out through fields of waving marram grass.

Our first view of Melvich Beach, we're glad we decided to make the short journey.

A gap in the dunes allowed access to this glorious arch of golden sand.

The overhanging cliffs of Rubha an Tuir.

Looking to the pier at Portskerra.

Strolling over golden sand with dunes to our right and the rising tide our left.

Pebbles.

Wandering along the tide line of the whispering sea.

Looking back along this stunning crescent shaped beach backed by dunes.

The Halladale River.

Footbridge over Halladale River, this fixed bridge replaced an earlier suspension bridge, but was closed by the Highland Council in 2019, deemed to be unsafe, just as well our route stays on this side of the river.

Halladale River near Bighouse Lodge.

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