Skip to main content
Wild About Lochaber

Wild About Lochaber

where great adventures begin...

Search form

Menu

  • Home
  • Explore
    • Wild Lochaber
    • Ardnamurchan, Moidart & Morvern
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe and Loch Leven
    • The Road To The Isles
    • #WildLochaber Photo Gallery
  • Accommodation
    • Self Catering
    • Caravan & Campsites
    • Hotels and B&Bs
  • Walking
    • Map of All Walks
    • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
    • Arisaig Mallaig and Glenfinnan
    • Fort William and Glen Nevis
    • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
  • Wildlife
    • Map of Wildlife Sites
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Habitats
  • Things To Do
    • Activity Providers
    • Beaches
    • Castles
    • Destinations
    • Gardens
    • Geology
    • Geopark Rock Route
    • Historic Attractions
    • Museums and Interpretation
    • Railways
    • Wildlife Experiences
    • Wildlife Hotspots
  • Travel
    • Electric Vehicle Charging Points
    • Ferries
    • Petrol Stations
    • The Caledonian Sleeper
  • What's On
    • Calendar
    • Arts, Culture and Community Events
    • Family Friendly Events
    • Walking Events
    • Wildlife & Geology Events
    • Events on Discover Glencoe
    • Road to The Isles & Ardnamurchan
  • Blogs
    • Ardnamurchan Area Blogs
    • Glencoe Area Blogs
    • Lochaber Blogs
    • West Coast Island Blogs
    • Wild About Lochaber Blog

Bay MacNeil Beach

  • Bay MacNeil with The Small Isles in the background
  • Orchids in the sand dunes behind Bay MacNeil
  • The startpoint of the Bay MacNeil Beach walk
  • The footpath to the beach crosses heathland
  • Worm casts at low tide
  • Footprints in the sand
  • Ardnamurchan lighthouse from Bay MacNeil
  • The machair and sand dunes behind the beach are species rich
  • Bay MacNeil
  • The Silvery sands of Bay MacNeil

Details

A walk to a beautiful beach on the Ardnamurchan peninsula with fabulous views of The Small Isles and Ardnamurchan Point.  The beach is fabulous with white sands and clear turquoise seas, with an abundance of shells on the strand line.   Look out for raptors, including golden eagle, in the coastal hills and crags.

Route Details

1. Park at the layby just past Grigadale before the caravan site on road to Ardnamurchan Point.  Parking is limited as the layby can only accommodate about three cars.   The route is signposted to Portuairk and Bay MacNeil.  Head through the metal gate along a grassy track through rough pasture and heath following the way marker posts. 

There are fabulous views of The Small Isles, as well as Ardnamurchan Point.  Cross the stile and head down to the beach.  The path passes through machair vegetation with low-growing dwarf willow (Salix herbacea), yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus) and bog myrtle (Myrica gale) in the wetter areas.  In spring and summer, the dunes are a riot of colour with harebells, orchids and vetches. 

2. Turn right at the gravelled track following the way marker post and continue on the track to the far side of the caravan park respecting the privacy of the caravaners.  At the way marker post just infront of the large metal gate (where the path continues on to Portuairk), turn left towards the beach as directed.   This section can be very boggy.  You can either join the beach at the near end or continue following the path skirting round the back of the bay to the far side before descending to the beach.  In the latter route, the path is initially distinct but soon becomes rather indistinct during the descent to the beach.  As such the descent can be a little difficult and is very much self-guided. 

Take time to explore this lovely beach on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, with its rocky outcrops and wonderful machair flora and fauna.  Look out for raptors, including golden eagle, in the coastal hills and crags.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM429671

Links to useful information

  • Portuairk and Bay MacNeil Walk
  • Bay MacNeil Beach
  • Ardnamurchan Day Trips - The Far West

grade: 

  • easy

terrain: 

grassy path and beach

length: 

2.6km (1.6 miles) or less

Type: 

  • there and back

Map: 

OS Explorer Map 390 - Ardnamurchan

OS Map

>>view map in full window

Google Map

Safety

Route details and information are provided in good faith.  All walking is potentially dangerous and it is your responsibility to ensure that you are properly dressed and equipped, have a map and compass, have checked and planned your route in advance and are able to navigate effectively.  Maps displayed on these walking pages are intended as an overview of the walk and are NOT suitable for navigation.  Please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and respect landowners and residents' privacy.  Always check the weather forecast and let others know if you are walking in the hills.

Walking

  • Walking Overview
  • Map of All Walks
  • Ardnamurchan and Moidart
  • Arisaig, Mallaig and Glenfinnan
  • Fort William and Glen Nevis
  • Glencoe, Loch Leven & Argyll
Booking.com

Holiday Cottages in Fort William and Lochaber

Rowan Brae Studios
Rowan Brae Studios

2 comfy self-contained Studios near Glencoe and Nevis range; stunning elevated loch/mountain views

Ardnamurchan Walking Pages

  • Alphabet Trail
  • Aoineadh Mor
  • Ardmolich Woodland Walk
  • Ardnastaing and Scotstown
  • Ardtornish Castle
  • Ariundle Oakwoods
  • Bay MacNeil Beach
  • Bay of Flies
  • Ben Hiant
  • Ben Resipole
  • Blain Burn Circular
  • Bourblaige Cleared Settlement
  • Camas nan Geall
  • Castle Tioram Circular
  • Castle Tioram Viewpoint
  • Claish Plantation
  • Corrantee Lead Mines from Ardnastaing
  • Corrantee Lead Mines from Polloch
  • Dalilea Walks
  • Dorlin Low Road
  • Fairy Walk
  • Fascadale and Port Eigin-aig
  • Galmadale Dam
  • Garbh Eilean Wildlife Walk
  • Ghardail Loop
  • Glen Moidart
  • Glenborrodale Nature Trail
  • Glendrian and Port Eigin-aig
  • Greadal Fhinn Chambered Cairn
  • Kentra Bay and The Singing Sands
  • Kentra Moss Circular
  • Kilmory Beach
  • Kinlochaline Low Road
  • Kinlochmoidart Old Road
  • Loch Teacuis Northside
  • Mingary Castle
  • Ockle to The Singing Sands
  • Polloch and Loch Shiel
  • Portuairk and Bay MacNeil
  • Portuairk to Sanna
  • Prince's Walk
  • Rahoy Hills - Black Water
  • Rahoy Hills - Loch Arienas
  • Salen Oakwoods
  • Shielfoot Torr
  • Silver Walk
  • Smirisary Walk
  • Sonachan Wood and Heathland
  • St Columba's Chapel, Drimnin
  • Strontian Community Woodland
  • Tennyson's Waterfall

Glencoe

Discover Glencoe

Glencoe and Loch Leven

>>

Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

>>

Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

>>

Wildlife

wildlife

Wildlife

Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

>>

Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

>>

Activities

Activities

Activities

kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

>>

Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

>>

Day Trips

Day trips

Day Trps

Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

>>

  • Advertising
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

Photos and Content Copyright ©2011-2023 Wild About Lochaber - All Rights Reserved

  • Wild About Lochaber on YouTube
  • Wild About Lochaber on Pinterest
  • Wild About Lochaber on Instagram
  • Wild About Lochaber on FaceBook
  • Wild About Lochaber on Twitter
Share/Save