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Dalgety Bay

(Dalgety Yacht Club Beach)

Fife, Scotland


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Dalgety Bay, located on the north banks of the Firth of Forth, is a large wide bay with a smaller sandy beach that offers scenic views of Edinburgh.

Dalgety Bay is situated on the north banks of the Firth of Forth, directly across from Edinburgh. The bay features a large, wide expanse of water and a smaller sandy beach, making it a picturesque spot. The beach itself is a mix of sand, shingle, and rocks.

The bay has a history of contamination, specifically with low-level radioactive materials. It is believed that the contamination originated from luminous aircraft dials, which were deposited in a nearby landfill site after the Second World War. As a result, the mussel beds off the beach have been reported to be contaminated with radiation.

In 2006, Dalgety Bay qualified for recommendation by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) based on tests for bacterial and viral pathogens. However, due to the discovery of radioactive contamination, it is no longer recommended for bathing. The Ministry of Defence has been working on a decontamination project, with an estimated £10 million being spent to clean up the site. Local warning signs have been erected to inform visitors of the situation.

For more information on Dalgety Bay and the current status of the contamination, visitors can contact Fife Council on 01334 412711.

Dalgety Bay is adjacent to the Fife Coastal Path.

Sand Pebbles

Weather and tides for Sunday 20 July

Tonight
Chance of rain 75%
Min temp. 16°C
(feels like 16°C)
Wind 11mph
Tomorrow (Monday)
Chance of rain 65%
Max temp. 20°C
(feels like 18°C)
Wind 9mph
Max UV Index

The tide at Dalgety Bay is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 11:38 PM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 5:54 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   14.6°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Facilities

    Shops Slipway
  • Popular Activities

    Sailing Sunbathing Walking
  • Features

    Yacht club
  • Lifeguard

    No lifeguard cover at this beach

  • Water Quality

    Water quality not measured here

    Water quality not measured here

Recommended holiday cottages near Dalgety Bay

Things to do and see in the area

Inchcolm Abbey and Island (1.9 miles)
Forth Bridge (2.2 miles)
Aberdour Golf Club (2.4 miles)
Silver Sands Spa (2.5 miles)
Aberdour Castle (2.7 miles)
Forth Boat Tours (2.9 miles)
Maid of the Forth (3 miles)
Forth Bridges Walking Tours (3 miles)
Fife Leisure Park (3.7 miles)
Adventure Golf Island (3.8 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Hillend

Location type: Urban

OS Grid: NT159826

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: Fife Council

Nearest postcode: KY11 5YE

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Dalgety Bay, Fife, Scotland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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18.97.14.83 Sun, 20 Jul 2025 20:52:24 +0100