The Isle of Lewis and Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, is home to a stunning beach which has been compared to the Maldives online – and it’s easy to see why
As the summer holidays kick off for children across the nation, many are considering a last-minute getaway.
While traditional holiday spots like Spain, Portugal and Turkey continue to draw crowds, there might be an even more glamorous option closer to home.
Once-favoured European destinations such as Barcelona, Lisbon, and Milan have seen locals protesting against excessive tourism, with some instances of graffiti telling tourists to ‘go home’ and visitors being targeted with water guns.
The situation is further complicated by rising costs. According to a study by insurance market researcher Consumer Intelligence, 52% of Brits opted for staycations last year, suggesting that domestic holidays are becoming increasingly appealing.
With this in mind, there are numerous picturesque locations throughout the UK that could rival any exotic destination. One such place has even been likened to the Maldives on social media, reports the Express.
Scotland boasts a wealth of well-known and hidden treasures, particularly along its 11,646 miles of coastline and numerous islands.
One such gem is the Isle of Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides. The southern part of the island, Harris, is renowned for its breathtaking beaches and rugged mountains.
Luskentyre, situated on the west side of Harris, is considered one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of the UK, if not Europe, according to numerous glowing reviews.
TripAdvisor has crowned it the number one must-see spot on the island, with over 1,100 glowing reviews on the site, boasting an impressive average rating of 4.9 out of 5.
“Luskentyre Bay is a little slice of Maldives on the coast of the Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides – honestly worth the drive,” penned Cyd J following their beach trip in August 2024.
On the other hand, Spiaggia, who visited last summer, hailed Luskentyre as “One of the most beautiful beaches in the world,” and IslandGurl2 from Canada, a country known for its stunning landscapes, gave the beach an enthusiastic ’10 out of five!’
Their review added: “10 out of 5! This beach is Outstanding! ! ! I’ve never seen anything quite like it before.
“The views on the drive up to the car park are otherworldly. Beautiful turquoise water, soft golden sand that stretches for miles, grass-covered dunes.
“They’ve even got a public toilet at the car park complete with a donation box, which is handy! The wind was surprisingly warm when we visited in early May, much warmer than the other end of the island we saw later that day. And as a bonus, as we were leaving, we spotted two Highland cows perched on the bluff above the beach, just taking in the scenery.”
So, what’s the verdict?
A stunning beach, tick. Soft sand underfoot, tick.
Crystal-clear turquoise waters, tick. Really, why bother jetting off abroad this summer?
