Cleanest beaches in Highland

Highland has 12 designated bathing waters. The regulator's latest classifications are 9 Excellent and 2 Good.

Updated September 2026

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Top rated

A selection rated Excellent or Good in the regulator's latest annual classification. Open any beach for today's live verdict.

Rated Excellent Achmelvich Highland Rated Excellent Dornoch Highland Rated Excellent Dunnet Highland Rated Excellent Gairloch Beach Highland Rated Excellent Loch Morlich Highland Rated Excellent Nairn (Central) Highland

Every bathing water in Highland

Rated Excellent Achmelvich Highland Rated Excellent Dornoch Highland Rated Excellent Dunnet Highland Rated Excellent Gairloch Beach Highland Rated Excellent Loch Morlich Highland Rated Excellent Nairn (Central) Highland Rated Excellent Nairn (East) Highland Rated Excellent Rosemarkie Highland Rated Excellent Sand Beach Highland Rated Good Dores Highland Rated Good Thurso Highland Unclassified Ballachulish Penninsula Highland

Common questions

Which beach is cleanest in Highland?: Achmelvich holds an Excellent classification, the regulator's top tier. 11 of the 12 bathing waters in Highland are rated Excellent or Good.
How many bathing waters are in Highland?: 12. The regulator's latest classifications are 9 Excellent and 2 Good.