Heading up for the World Cup in June and might as well explore a bit more of the area, I know it fairly well inland but wondering whether there are any nice views, areas or beaches you could recommend that are within an hour or 2 driving distance?

Thanks,
Harry

Head out to Mallaig (actually Arisaig) or Ardnamurchan.

Just head up or down the coast. Mallaig is nice, as is Ardfern. All of it is gorgeous if the sun is shining!

ardnamurchan go to the end just before the end turn right and go to sanna don’t be put off at the car park walk through the sea grass and dunes to the best beach in the world. This drive includes the best part of 30 miles so allow plenty of time, there is a new distillery in Glenborrodale too.

or easier access and better island views at the worlds second best beach Camusdarach beach near Arisaig

Arisaig’s a good shout. Or Morar, but you basically drive past Arisaig on the way there. Sanna’s maybe too far. Fort William’s in a kind of awkward place, at the coast but a long way “inland” so it can be a wee bit awkward to get to other places from there.

Does it need to be sandy? Cuil Bay’s lovely, but shingly/stony. A lot of the coast around Fort William is stone not sand but I love it, there’s something about the way mountain meets sea/sea loch.

If you head to Arisaig one of the beaches actually has a small layby and even a public loo nearby – perfect for keeping lady-folk happy or just for crimping one off in relative comfort

EDIT: right here if my google-fu is working: https://goo.gl/maps/akD5KffBNJt

legend’s post is good but the bay dries out at low tide. excellent place for a paddle when it’s in. mallaig/arisaig is stunning and the drive from fortwilliam is well worth doing.
if you are doing that, check out the timetable for the jacobite steam train and try and be at Glenfinnan to catch it crossing the viaduct.

I’d actually forgotten that! Doesn’t stay dry for that long iirc? Long enough to have a larf running around the place though

Gorgeous beaches but the water is just above freezing all year round, and there are jellyfish the size of car wheels.

It’s refreshing!

Best fish and chips EVER at Malaig.

Heading all the way up the west coast and the Isles for 3 weeks in our camper from Saturday – will be visiting Arisaig, Ardnamurchan, Mull, Skye, Harris and Lewis…..glorious

There are some superb beaches around the North coast too – Strathy, Melvich etc. and the best are on North Uist.

Take the Corran ferry & head West to Diorlinn. Beach is gorgeous, complete with ruined castle (Tioram).

Thanks for all the suggestions! The campsite at Arisaig looks good and that area of coastline looks lovely. Will be spending a few days around that area, probably ride fort william on the monday and travel about a bit.

Take the ferry to Eigg, then cycle over to Laig beach and the singing sands.
Worth a trip to Rum as well, though it doesn’t have so much of a beach.

Heading all the way up the west coast and the Isles for 3 weeks in our camper from Saturday – will be visiting Arisaig, Ardnamurchan, Mull, Skye, Harris and Lewis…..gloriousjealous

If you’re in the highlands at the weekend, you might want to see if you can catch a game of shinty – lower leagues are free, most I’ve paid is £3. A truly mental game.
This weekends fixtures Some of the pitches are in pretty spectacular locations