7 Best Beaches on East Coast Scotland

 

Coastline Cruising: 7 Essential East Coast Beaches for Your Next Motorhome Adventure

The Scottish East Coast offers a fantastic variety of beaches that are particularly well-suited for motorhome touring, ranging from the sheltered, sandy bays of the Borders and Fife to the wild, expansive stretches of the Highlands. Here are 7 of the best beaches on the East Coast to consider for your next trip.

1. Lunan Bay (Angus)

Location: Situated on the A92 between Arbroath and Montrose, near the village of Inverkeilor. Access is via a smaller, private farm road (look for the signage).

Interests in the Area: Red Castle: The dramatic 12th-century ruins are a must-see for history buffs.

Agate Hunting: After a storm, the sands are famous for yielding agates and gemstones.

Wildlife: The nearby St Cyrus National Nature Reserve is exceptional for wildflowers and birdwatching.

Motorhome Note: The car park is large, but the access road can be narrow. Stick to the designated areas and avoid parking on the dunes or verges.

 What3words: ///cities.clots.backhand

2. West Sands, St Andrews (Fife)

Location: Located just north of St Andrews town center; you can easily navigate there by following signs for "West Sands" or the "Old Course."

Interests in the Area: St Andrews Cathedral & Castle: Explore the ruins of the cathedral and the "bottle dungeon" in the castle.

The Old Course: Even if you aren't a golfer, walking past the most famous golf course in the world is a bucket-list item.

Town Centre: The medieval "old town" is packed with independent shops and restaurants.

Motorhome Note: The parking is very accommodating, but it is a "hub" location. Be mindful of pedestrian traffic and local residents when maneuvering near the town center.

 What3words: ///flotation.propose.foil

3. Dornoch Beach (Highlands)

Location: Located in the Royal Burgh of Dornoch, just a short drive off the main NC500 route.

Interests in the Area: Dornoch Cathedral & Castle: The castle is now a stunning hotel and restaurant.

Whisky & Gin: Check out the local distillers in town.

Loch Fleet: A short drive away, this is a prime spot for spotting ospreys, seals, and otters.

Motorhome Note: Dornoch is very "van-friendly." This is a great location to highlight how to use local amenities (shops/cafes) to support the community that provides your parking.

What3words: ///actor.locked.amending

 

4. Coldingham Sands (Scottish Borders)

Location: Near the village of Coldingham and the fishing village of St Abbs.

 Interests in the Area: St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve: Incredible coastal walks and bird colonies—perfect for a morning hike with your four-legged co-pilot.

Mire Loch: A tranquil inland bird sanctuary nearby.

Diving & Surfing: The bay is part of the Berwickshire Marine Reserve; you can hire gear at the St Vedas Surf Shop right by the beach.

Motorhome Note: It’s a steep walk down to the beach, so leave the heavy gear in the van. Use this as a lesson on "active" touring—parking up and exploring on foot.

What3words: ///belonging.softly.ferried

 

5. Balmedie Beach (Aberdeenshire)

Location: Located within Balmedie Country Park, just north of Aberdeen via the A90.

Interests in the Area: 

Newburgh Seal Colony: Just a short distance away, you can often see large groups of seals hauled out on the sandbanks.

Forvie National Nature Reserve: Famous for its shifting dunes and colony of Eider ducks.

Aberdeen City: Easy access to the city’s maritime museums and parks.

Motorhome Note: The boardwalk system is a great example of "conservation-minded parking." Stay on the marked paths to protect the fragile dune ecosystem.

What3words:  ///increment.faded.systems

 

6. Sinclair’s Bay (Caithness)

Location: Between Wick and John O'Groats, near the village of Reiss.

Interests in the Area:

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe: Arguably one of the most dramatic cliffside ruin locations in Scotland.

Ackergill Tower: A historic fortress that dominates the local skyline.

Wick Heritage Museum: A great way to learn about the area's rich fishing history.

Motorhome Note: This is a vast, open space. Perfect for demonstrating "discreet parking" avoiding the urge to sprawl out your outdoor setup (awnings, etc.) to keep the view clear for everyone else.

 What3words: ///interacts.automatic.wording

7. Tentsmuir Beach (Fife)

Location: Near Tayport/Leuchars; the entrance to the forest car park is well-signposted.

Interests in the Area:

Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve: A maze of forest trails that lead to the coast.

Morton Lochs: Great for watching waterbirds from the observation hides.

WWII History: Look closely at the dunes for the remains of "dragon’s teeth" concrete anti-tank barriers.

Motorhome Note: The forest roads are beautiful but narrow in places. This is a perfect spot to discuss "narrow road etiquette"—how to pull over safely to let local traffic pass without damaging verges.

What3words:  ///cloak.torched.ripen

 

Join the Motorhome Touring Community

Want to keep the conversation going and swap more tips on the best spots to park up? I’d love for you to join the Motorhome Touring community! Whether you’re looking for trip inspiration, technical advice for your rig, or just want to share your own "Pitch Perfection" stories, come find me on my YouTube channel, @johnnyburr, or jump into the lively discussions in my Facebook groups: Motorhome touring Scotland and Motorhome Touring The UK and Europe. Don’t forget to check out my Discord server for real-time chatter and our weekly catch-ups, and keep an ear out for my latest segments on Caravan Radio. Let’s make every journey a "Pitch Perfect" one—see you on the road!

There is nothing quite like the freedom of the open road, and these sites are just the beginning of what the UK has to offer. Whether you're upgrading your setup or just looking for your next weekend escape, I'm here to help you get the most out of your tours.

If you’re looking for more tips, honest gear reviews, or just a place to share your latest trip photos, come and join the conversation! You can catch me over on my YouTube channel Johnny Burr, or join one of our active Facebook groups, Motorhome Touring Scotland and Motorhome Touring The UK andEurope. We’ve also got a buzzing community over on our Motorhome Touring Discord server, where we share real-time updates and advice. And of course, keep an eye and an ear out for my content on Caravan Radio. Let’s get out there and enjoy the journey together!

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