Armadale

KW14 7SA
Sandy beach
No public toilets
Very limited parking for motorhome opposite the picnic area near the old bridge
Parking for cars and smaller vehicles in the beach car park

At the north end of Armadale there is a point called Reismeave, which is apparently a good local fishing spot and great for seeing the coastal birds such as the oystercatcher, rock dove and the famous puffin. 

This point is home to the famous and extremely rare Primula scotica, the Scottish primrose, although often very hard to find. This small, delightful flower grows on moist but well-drained, grazed grasslands. Under-grazing or over-grazing can be damaging to this species. 

Losses of plants have been attributed to fences blocking cattle, agriculture, building and tree planting. The Scottish Primrose is often found near the coast in the very north of Scotland in Caithness, Sutherland and Orkney. 

It flowers between May and July and is only 4 centimetres high. Scottish Primrose does not seem to be attractive to insects, despite its colourful appearance. 

Armadale beach is a half kilometre stretch of golden sands, offering good tanning and picnic spots during the summer months and two burns flowing either side of the beach, splitting it into three sections. The car park above is reached by a steep and winding track that is unsuitable for large vehicles or motorhomes.  There is a parking bay opposite the picnic area for larger vehicles show in the picture below. The Picnic Area has parking but a large vehicle would have difficulty turning, and would prevent cars and other users from enjoying the area.  As you can see, space is very limited here.

The beach is at its best during the summer months and it also attracts surfers and body boarders The best time to go surfing is from late August to October. If surfing is your kind of activity you can get more detailed information about surfing here by visiting Surfer Guide online.

The rocks surrounding the bay are excellent for rock pooling and climbing.

Artic Walrus Willy

A walrus dubbed Wally and seen in Orkney a few weeks before was spotted in north Sutherland in March 2018.  The animal was filmed swimming in the sea off Armadale bay. It is understood to be the first time since 1954 a walrus has been seen in the Scottish mainland. The animal was filmed swimming in the sea off Armadale on Thursday 22nd March 2018. Previously, there had been a sighting earlier that week at Dunnet Head, Caithness.

This page is still under construction - last updated May 11th 2022

The Next Beach on the anticlockwise route is Farr Bay