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"I wish that we could sail our sad days away"

Dunnet Bay

(Castlehill Beach)

Highland, Scotland


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Dunnet Bay is a picturesque destination located near the eastern tip of Scotland's North coast, offering a serene and natural environment for visitors to enjoy.

Dunnet Bay is a wide sandy bay that stretches near the eastern tip of Scotland's North coast. The bay joins with Dunnet Beach to the north and offers a range of amenities for visitors.

The bay is situated between Castletown and Dunnet, forming the western end of a long stretch of sand and shingle, backed by grassy dunes. The A836 road runs adjacent to the beach, behind the dunes.

The beach is a popular spot for surfers and those looking for peaceful walks. The area is also renowned for its birdwatching opportunities, particularly at Dunnet Head and St John's Pool.

The nearest facilities can be found in the village of Castletown, which features a working flagstone harbour, a hotel, a guesthouse, a fish and chip shop, and a grocery store. Visitors can also explore a heritage trail that showcases sites connected to the town's flagstone quarrying industry.

Dunnet Head, the headland that marks the most northerly point of the British mainland, lies just beyond the north end of Dunnet/Murkle Bay and is well worth a visit.

Sand

Weather and tides for Sunday 20 July

Tonight
Chance of rain 20%
Min temp. 15°C
(feels like 14°C)
Wind 11mph
Tomorrow (Monday)
Chance of rain 51%
Max temp. 19°C
(feels like 17°C)
Wind 9mph
Max UV Index

The tide at Dunnet Bay is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 11:57 PM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 6:03 AM tomorrow.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Approximate sea surface temperature:   13.9°C  

Detailed weather and tides »
  • Popular Activities

    Bird watching Sunbathing Surfing Walking
  • Parking

    Parking available by the beach, off Harbour Road.

  • Lifeguard

    No lifeguard cover at this beach

  • Water Quality

    Water quality not measured here

    Water quality not measured here

Recommended holiday cottages near Dunnet Bay

Things to do and see in the area

Dunnet Bay Distillery (1.6 miles)
Dunnet Head (3.7 miles)
The Castle and Gardens of Mey (5.8 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Castletown

Location type: Rural

OS Grid: ND211688

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: Highland

Nearest postcode: KW14 8SU

(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 Dunnet Bay, Highland, 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 21:08:12 +0100