Ready to leap, scramble and splash your way around Scotland’s wild coastline? Welcome to coasteering — part hiking, part swimming, all adrenaline, best done with an experienced guide. From sea caves on Skye to a bay with views of the Bass Rock, here are five of the best spots in Scotland, chosen by the author of Hidden Beaches.
1. Seacliff Beach, East Lothian
Revellers at Seacliff Beach in East Lothian
DANIEL START
One of East Lothian’s best beaches is Seacliff, with inspiring views to Tantallon Castle to the left and to great guano-iced Bass Rock straight ahead. You’ll also find a tiny harbour inlet here, hewn from the stone — a wonderful place to swim and jump with the castle in view. And don’t miss Canty Bay, a secret cove a few miles before Tantallon just visible beneath the coast.
£75, oceanvertical.com
2. Bow Fiddle Rock, Moray
Bow Fiddle Rock is named from its resemblance to the tip of a fiddle bow
ALAMY
The dramatic slanted rock, with an arch at one side, takes its name from its resemblance to the tip of a fiddle bow. This coasteering trip with local operator Blue Coast leaves Portknockie, swimming, climbing and jumping along the coast to the arch, with eyes peeled for dolphins and seals. Other local opportunities for coasteering include the caves in the neighbouring bay.
£63.30 adult, £53 ages 12-18, bluecoastcullen.co.uk
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3. Leac Tressirnish, Skye
Inver Tote has waterfall plunge pools at its shingle cove
ALAMY
Everyone knows the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, but few are familiar with the coastline just below. There are great waterfall plunge pools at the shingle cove of Inver Tote, but the real local treasures are the caves, natural arches and natural harbour at Leac Tressirnish, a perfect place for diving and jumping into deep water. You can also scramble round it and swim into several sea caves, some with roof openings.
£70, skyeadventure.com
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4. Rua Reidh, Wester Ross
The lighthouse at Rua Reidh offers guest accommodation for short and long stays
ALAMY
The road from Gairloch towards Melvaig has some of the most imposing cliffs, rock arches and sea caves in Scotland. Pass through Melvaig then walk up the private road towards the lighthouse at Rua Reidh — now a series of colourful holiday lets, stylishly designed by the Scottish-Iranian artist Susan Fateh. Stop by the first bridge to venture down to the shore and you will find a huge cave, a waterfall and a rock arch where you can swim if the sea is dead calm.
£60 adult, ages 8-16 £40, climbrideexplore.co.uk
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5. Elie Chain Walk, Fife
The Elie Chain Walk leads for a mile around a headland route
ALAMY
This unusual mile-long via ferrata scrambling route leads round a dramatic headland route with chains. Though it’s possible to navigate the walk without swimming, in calm seas there are inlets, caves and ledges that are ideal for swimming or coasteering. To reach it, park at Shell Bay and head south for about half a mile to find the first chain.
£60, active.fife.scot
Taken from Hidden Beaches by Daniel Start (£16.99, wildthingspublishing.com). To order a copy go to timesbookshop.co.uk. Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members