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Machrihanish Beach

Argyll and Bute, Scotland


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Machrihanish Beach, located on the Mull of Kintyre Peninsula in Scotland, is a quiet rural sandy beach that stretches for over three miles and offers a range of activities and scenic views.

Machrihanish Beach is situated between the small village of Machrihanaish to the south and Westport to the north. The beach boasts a 3-mile stretch of soft, clean sand, making it an ideal destination for beachcombing, shell collecting, and sea glass hunting. The beach is backed by low, grassy dunes that provide a haven for a variety of plant and animal life.

The beach is a popular spot for surfers, particularly at the top end nearest to Westport. However, further south, signs warn of the dangers of strong undercurrents, making it unsuitable for bathing. The area is also home to an abundance of wildlife, including birds, seals, and the occasional otter. On a clear day, it is possible to see the Irish coast, which is only 12 miles away.

There is a pub located to the south of the beach, and the area is popular with golfers. Two excellent golf clubs, Machrihanaish Dunes and championship-class Machrihanaish Golf Club, are located near the beach. The Machrihanish Golf Course actually adjoins the beach.

Sand

Weather and tides for Wednesday 16 September

Today
Chance of rain 57%
Max temperature 15°C
feels like 15°C
Wind 15mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 92%
Min temperature 12°C
feels like 13°C
Wind 21mph

The tide at Machrihanish Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 5:04 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 11:35 AM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Other beaches nearby

Location: Machrihanish

Location type: Rural

OS Grid: NR641208

Coordinates: 55°25'30"N 5°43'41"W

Mapcode: IRL XD.5C54

What 3 Words: woes.counts.newsstand

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: Argyll and Bute

Nearest postcode: PA28 6PT

(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.

Visitor information for Machrihanish Beach, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.217.140 Wed, 16 Sep 2026 01:41:36 +0100