Secret beach with the UK’s smallest harbour named the best in Scotland
- UK Hidden Gems
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
A hidden gem beach with the smallest harbour in the UK has been crowned the best in Scotland.
The Times and Sunday Times Best Beaches Guide was released this morning, naming the top 50 coastal spots across the country for 2025.
Chief Travel Writer Chris Haslam explored more than 750 beaches and 51 resorts to put the guide together.
The list is divided into seven areas of the UK: Scotland, Northern Ireland, North England, East England, South England, Southwest England and Wales.
This year’s winner for Scotland is Seacliff Beach in East Lothian, a true hidden treasure.
The beach is just outside the lovely seaside town of North Berwick, only 40 minutes from Edinburgh and less than two hours from Glasgow.
It is the perfect choice for those looking to escape the crowds that pack into busy spots like Portobello and Gullane. Instead, it is favoured by surfers, horse riders and families enjoying picnics.
Visitors arriving by car pay a £5 entrance fee. The beach itself is a wide stretch of golden sand, backed by dunes and grassy banks. Children love exploring the many rock pools scattered along the shore.
The shallow waters are ideal for paddling and swimming on warmer days.
Seacliff is also home to what is believed to be the UK’s smallest harbour. It is carved into the rock and can only be reached from the beach. Local crab fishermen are thought to have used it in the past.
From the sand you can admire stunning views of Bass Rock, famous for its huge gannet colonies and its lighthouse, as well as the dramatic ruins of Tantallon Castle.
According to the guide, the water quality here has been rated as excellent.
Facilities include toilets, and the beach is dog-friendly, making it a great spot for pet owners.
The Times guide notes: “Seacliff, west of Dunbar, is a private beach with a £5 car entrance fee, but the sheer cinematic beauty makes it more than worth the cost.”
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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