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"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky"

Keiss Beach

(Sinclair's Bay Keiss Beach)

Highland, Scotland


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Keiss Beach, located in the Scottish Highlands, is a wild and windswept stretch of coastline that offers a serene and solitary experience for those who venture to this remote destination. .

Keiss Beach is situated at the northern end of Sinclair Bay, approximately 12 miles south of John O'Groats, and is accessible via the A99. The beach is part of a long strip of sand that makes up Sinclair Bay, with the terrain becoming more rocky towards the northern end. At low tide, a lengthy stretch of clean, white sand is revealed, making it an attractive spot for those seeking solitude.

The beach is devoid of facilities, and visitors should be prepared for a rustic experience. The sea is icy cold, even during the summer months, making swimming not recommended. However, the beach is home to a variety of birds, and occasionally, seals and even orca can be spotted out at sea.

The beach has a rich history, with the romantic ruins of 16th-century Keiss Castle standing proudly at the northern end, close to the cliffs. The castle was built by George Sinclair, the 5th Earl of Caithness. During World War II, the beach was heavily fortified, and the remains of pillboxes and other defences are still visible.

Visitors to Keiss Beach can walk for miles, taking in the breathtaking scenery and tranquil atmosphere. On calm, sunny days, the expansive sky and sunlight reflecting off the North Sea create an unforgettable experience. Due to its northern latitude, the sun rises early and sets late during the summer months.

Bay Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 91%
Max temperature 14°C
feels like 15°C
Wind 8mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 87%
Min temperature 9°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 14mph

The tide at Keiss Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 2:45 PM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 8:18 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Keiss Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Castle Sinclair Girnigoe (3.9 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Keiss

Location type: Rural

OS Grid: ND344601

Coordinates: 58°31'27"N 3°7'40"W

Mapcode: GBR L6M6.CVL

What 3 Words: onions.guideline.stamp

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: Highland

Nearest postcode: KW1 4XG

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Keiss Beach, Highland, Scotland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:20:45 +0100