Luskentyre and Seilebost Beaches

I really feel like I should be doing these together. The two beaches, named after the tiny villages they border, are right next to each other, and almost merging into one another, creating a truly spectacular landscape. The iconic view in Harris, pictured above, actually includes both beaches, but most visitors refer to the whole as Luskentyre. As this beach gained popularity in recent years, more and more people have picked up on the name, and, as a result, Seilebost is seldom mentioned.

In 2020, Luskentyre Beach was included by Tripadvisor in their Top 25 of the best beaches in the world, at number 13. Having been there myself that same year, I can see why. The beach itself is lovely - a vast stretch of white-golden sand, framed by tall grass, sand dunes, and clear blue water, with the mountains of North Harris in the background. That said, there are many other beaches all over the Outer Hebrides that look quite similar and are equally beautiful.

However, the view from across the hill near Seilebost is unique and, with the right conditions, absolutely stunning. It’s constantly changing, depending on the light and tide. We stopped three times, and our last attempt was by far our favourite! The milky blue water was blending so well with the patches of white sand. To the left - Seilebost. In the distance - the southern side of Luskentyre. The northern side remains hidden behind the sand dunes. This popular viewpoint is very easily accessible, as it’s right on the main road. There is limited parking available just by the side of the road.

You can walk down to Seilebost Beach and have a wander. To get to Luskentyre Beach though, you must approach by car from the other side. Parking is available past the village, by the beach.