Brora Beach — Attraction in Scotland

Brora Beach is a rural, mostly unspoilt beach in the village of Brora.

It stretches north from the mouth of the River Brora for about two miles.

The village is backed by a golf course (Brora Golf Club, a links course). The beach is next to the golf course on its “front beach” side.

Character & Highlights

Golden sands, especially north of the river, with a wide sandy expanse.

The southern side of the river is more rocky, with rock pools and more exposed conditions.

Beautiful coastal views over the Moray Firth, often wild, atmospheric.

Wildlife is a strong attraction: seals along the shore, occasional dolphins & minke whales further out, otters & various seabirds (e.g. Arctic terns) in season.

Facilities & Access

Parking: Free parking at the Brora Golf Club car park.

Toilets & Café: There are toilets, and a café (or places nearby in Brora) to get refreshments.

Walking access: Footpath from the car park down towards the beach. Walks along the coast northwards are popular.

Dog-friendly: Dogs allowed on the beach (year round, from what I found) and there are bins for dog-waste.

Things to Do

Beach walking & strolls, especially north of the river where the sands are more forgiving.

Wildlife watching: seals on rocks or shoreline, seabirds, maybe dolphins / whales.

Rock pooling at the southern / rocky sections.

Picnicking, relaxing, sandcastle building with kids.

Coastal walks: for example, the walk from Brora to Golspie is scenic along the coast.

Recognitions & Calibre

Brora Beach has repeatedly held a Keep Scotland Beautiful award.

It’s considered a clean, well-managed beach.

Things to Be Aware Of / Tips

No lifeguards: There is no lifeguard service on Brora Beach. Swimming is possible, but caution is needed.

The water is cold (North Sea) even in summer.

Parts of the beach (especially southern side) are rocky and exposed: good footwear, careful underfoot walking, especially at low tide.

Access for limited mobility: the paths are okay from car park, but certain stretches (rocky ends) may not suit...

Beautiful and Peaceful Brora Beach

Brora Beach is an absolute gem on the east coast — peaceful, spacious, and just stunning to look at. The beach itself is wide and sandy, perfect for a walk or just sitting and soaking in the view. What really makes it special is where the river meets the sea — you can actually see the contrast in colours as the fresh water blends into the salt water. It’s a beautiful natural sight that adds something unique to the experience.

There’s a free car park right next to the beach, beside the golf course, which makes access super easy. From there, you can either walk down the steps or take a slightly longer (but lovely) route through the golf course, sand dunes, and tall grass — both ways give you a bit of that wild coastal charm.

It’s a great spot for a quiet stroll, a bit of nature watching, or just to enjoy the fresh sea air. Definitely worth a stop if you’re passing through or...

We were spending the day travelling the N500, and called at Brora Beach for a break. We parked at the beach carpark and went for a walk along the stony beach. We came across some curious stones which we were told were "pudding" stones, a collection of small stones cemented with sand. Some were small and others quite large. The site had some history, involving salt production and coal mining, as well as being a listening post during WW2. From here, we drove north as far as Wick before driving home. The scenery is amazing along the A9 north with glimpses of the sea and the oil platforms in...