Mellon Udrigle is a small horseshoe of soft white sand and clear water at the end of a single-track road off the A832, celebrated for the panorama across the sea to the mountains of Assynt and Coigach. There’s a modest car park and not much else. Bracing to swim in, gorgeous to look at, and quiet enough out of season to have to yourself.

© Gordon Brown / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0