32 beaches

Sea glass beaches in Scotland

Fishing harbours, old bottle works and huge stretches of wild coast. Scotland's east coast around Fife and Aberdeenshire is especially good for frosted greens, whites and the odd piece of blue.

Scotland © Stephen McKay · CC BY-SA 2.0

Aberdeen Beach

Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen

Visit Aberdeen Beach: scenic sands, lively promenade, and marine activities, perfect for family fun and relaxation.

Scotland © James Allan · CC BY-SA 2.0

Anstruther and Cellardyke

Anstruther, Fife

Rocky East Neuk shore between Anstruther and Cellardyke with loads of sea glass in rarer colours, plus Victorian pottery. Best at low tide.

Scotland © Iain Lees · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bain's Beach, Lerwick

Lerwick, Shetland

Tiny town beach among Lerwick's historic lodberries, glittering with sea glass of every shade plus old pottery and the odd marble.

Scotland © Colin Park · CC BY-SA 2.0

Burntisland Beach

Burntisland, Fife

Large sandy and rocky town beach on the Forth where collectors find a good amount of common-colour sea glass.

Scotland © Richard Webb · CC BY-SA 2.0

Caol Beach

Caol, Fort William, Highland

Rocky shore at Caol on Loch Linnhe near Fort William, reported to give a good amount of sea glass in many colours, including cobalt and black.

Scotland © Richard Sutcliffe · CC BY-SA 2.0

Castle Sands, St Andrews

St Andrews, Fife

Small cove below St Andrews Castle that local collectors rate as very rich in green and white sea glass. Go at mid tide.

Scotland © Julian Paren · CC BY-SA 2.0

Chanonry Point Beach

Chanonry Point, Highland

Visit Chanonry Point Beach: famous for dolphin sightings, stunning views, and a unique location, ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and scenic picnics.

Scotland © Gordon Hatton · CC BY-SA 2.0

Dunure Beach

Dunure, South Ayrshire

Explore Dunure Beach: rugged coastline, historic castle ruins, and charming village atmosphere, perfect for scenic explorations and cultural discovery.

Scotland © Bernt Rostad from Oslo, Norway · CC BY 2.0

Fraserburgh Beach

Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire

Experience Fraserburgh Beach: expansive golden sands, renowned surf spots, and vibrant seaside community, ideal for beach activities and relaxation.

Scotland © Billy McCrorie · CC BY-SA 2.0

Girvan Beach

Girvan, South Ayrshire

Enjoy Girvan Beach: scenic views of Ailsa Craig, sandy stretches, and family-friendly amenities, perfect for leisurely days and seaside enjoyment.

Scotland © don cload · CC BY-SA 2.0

Golspie Beach

Golspie, Sutherland

Long sand-and-shingle beach on the NC500 where collectors find plentiful, very small sea glass ideal for jewellery.

Scotland © Ian Taylor · CC BY-SA 2.0

Hopeman West Beach

Hopeman, Moray

Sand and rock beach west of Hopeman harbour on the Moray coast; small pieces of sea glass collect behind the big rocks towards Burghead.

Scotland © Trevor Littlewood · CC BY-SA 2.0

Inveraray Beach

Inveraray, Argyll and Bute

Enjoy Inveraray Beach: picturesque loch views, historic castle backdrop, and tranquil waters, perfect for scenic picnics and leisurely walks.

Scotland © Andy Waddington · CC BY-SA 2.0

Iona East Beaches

Baile Mòr, Iona, Argyll and Bute

Small rocky and sandy coves on Iona's east shore near the ferry jetty, facing Mull, where visitors find white, green and soft blue sea glass.

Scotland © Darren Haddock · CC BY-SA 2.0

John o' Groats Beach

John o' Groats, Caithness

Shore by the harbour at John o' Groats, named in the official North Coast 500 sea glass article as a place for interesting finds.

Scotland © John Lucas · CC BY-SA 2.0

Keoldale Pier Beach

Keoldale, Durness, Sutherland

Rocky shore by the old Keoldale pier on the Kyle of Durness, known to collectors for lots of glass including black and soft blue.

Scotland © Colin Smith · CC BY-SA 2.0

Lossiemouth West Beach

Lossiemouth, Moray

Moray fishing-town beach where visitors report frosted white, pale turquoise and green sea glass, best after a high tide.

Scotland © Oliver Dixon · CC BY-SA 2.0

Lundin Links and Lower Largo

Lundin Links, Fife

Largo Bay beaches at Lundin Links and Lower Largo, combed most days by a local full-time beachcomber for East Neuk sea glass, including red.

Scotland © Jim Barton · CC BY-SA 2.0

Musselburgh Beach

Musselburgh, East Lothian

Visit Musselburgh Beach: scenic river mouth, leisurely promenade, and local wildlife, ideal for tranquil walks and family outings.

Scotland © Rob Burke · CC BY-SA 2.0

Pathhead Sands, Kirkcaldy

Kirkcaldy, Fife

Kirkcaldy beach below Ravenscraig Castle, good for sea glass on the rocks and for pottery from the town's old potteries.

Scotland © Colin Park · CC BY-SA 2.0

Pettycur Bay, Kinghorn

Kinghorn, Fife

Sheltered sandy bay by Kinghorn where green glass from the old Pettycur bottle works still washes up, with browns and the odd blue.

Scotland © David Martin · CC BY-SA 2.0

Port Driseach, Tighnabruaich

Tighnabruaich, Argyll and Bute

Rocky shore at Port Driseach on the Kyles of Bute, just north of Tighnabruaich, with plenty of sea glass including lavender and cobalt.

Portobello Beach

Portobello, City of Edinburgh

Edinburgh's seaside beach, where old glassworks and potteries left white and green sea glass and lots of pottery shards on the tideline.

Prestonpans Beach

Prestonpans, East Lothian

Rocky East Lothian shore with centuries of pottery and glassworks history, where sea glass and sea pottery turn up all along the tideline.

Silver Sands, Aberdour

Aberdour, Fife

Popular sheltered Fife beach that local guides and collectors say gives a good amount of sea glass, especially after high tide.

South Queensferry

South Queensferry, City of Edinburgh

Rocky shore under the Forth bridges, named by The Scotsman as the best sea glass beach within easy reach of Edinburgh.

St. Monans Beach

St. Monans, Fife

Discover the history and allure of blue sea glass, from its maritime origins to modern eco-crafts. Learn about its rarity and value in this guide.

Stevenston Beach

Stevenston, North Ayrshire

Long Ayrshire beach by the old Ardeer works where industrial sea glass collects along the strandline and shingle.

Stonehaven Beach

Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire

Sand-and-shingle resort beach where lots of small pieces of sea glass gather among the pebbles.

Scotland

Stranraer Bay

Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway

Stranraer's waterfront on Loch Ryan, where scattered sea glass turns up along with plenty of old pottery from local dairies.

Ullapool Sea Front

Ullapool, Ross and Cromarty

Steep pebbly shore on Loch Broom with some sea glass and lots of sea pottery, including blue willow, south of the ferry terminal.

West Sands Beach

St. Andrews, Fife

Enjoy West Sands Beach: vast expanses, iconic golf course views, and thrilling water sports, perfect for energetic beach days and scenic jogs.

Sea glass beaches in Scotland

Other regions in the United Kingdom