The Best Silver Sands of Morar Beach Guide
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Planning a visit to Silver Sands of Morar beach? Then you have come to the right place.
Silver Sands of Morar is a sandy estuary with lots of stretches of beach either side of the Morar River as it approaches the sea.
This means that the beaches cover a large area and it can be difficult to know which side of the river and what part of the beaches you should visit.
Having spent a lot of time in the area around Arisaig, Morar and Mallaig I have put together this guide to answer all your questions.
The post covers where to park, how to access the beach, whether you can swim – and other questions you might have.
Is Silver Sands of Morar Worth a Visit?
Yes, this beach should be on your itinerary when travelling in the area. It is one of the best things to do in Morar. Silver Sands really does look like its name, just as the photo above shows.
What makes it special is that rather than being one long beach there are many smaller ones. This means that by walking a little distance from the car park you will be able to find your own private area of beach.
Silver Sands has the most varied scenery of the beaches along the coast in this area making it perfect for a longer walk.
From the parking area the views are of the Morar bay and river. Further out towards the sea you can see the islands of Eigg and Rum.
It is also a great beach for families looking to swim or spend a lazy day on the beach. The water is nearly always calm since it is a sheltered area.
Where Are the Silver Sands of Morar?
The beach is in Morar which is close the village of Mallaig in Scotland.
Silver Sands of Morar is often called Morar beach, Morar Sands, White Sands of Morar beach, and Silver Sand beach. It is two words, not Silversands beaches but Silver Sands beaches.
All names are referring to the same area. Morar is the closest village and train station and it is less than a 10-minute drive from Mallaig.
People talking about the Morar beaches sometimes include Camusdarach beach. It is debatable which beaches should be classified as being in Airsaig and which belong to Morar.
However, it doesn’t really matter since along the B8008 between Arisaig and Morar village there is just one pretty beach after the other.
The three beaches along the B8008 not to miss are Camusdarach beach, Traigh beaches and Silver Sands of Morar. Mallaig is not far away but there are no beaches to note between Morar and Mallaig.
The best beaches in Arisaig and Morar are the ones to visit.
Which Side of the Morar River Should I Visit?
Silver Sands of Morar beach extends along on both sides of the Morar River.
The part of the beach you normally see photos from and the side most people visit is the southern side of the river. That is the side that is closest to Arisaig. Morar beach is on this side of the river, accessed from the B8008.
The southern side has long stretches of white sand and it is easier to access.
On the northern side the beach is rocky and muddy closest to the road. Further towards the sea it becomes sandy but it is a couple of kilometres walk to reach this part of the beach.
How to Visit the South Side of the River (Towards Arisaig)
Where to park and how to get down to the beach?
There are two places to park and get down to the beach. Both are along the B8008. One is free (shown in blue below), the other one is a pay and display car park (shown in orange below).
Free parking (marked in blue)
Parking: The free Silver Sands of Morar parking is along the B8008 close to the junction with the A830. The downside is that only a few cars can park along the road so it is normally full.
The what3words location for the parking is unwraps.contact.assess.
Beach access: The beach is across the road.
Paid parking (marked in orange)
Parking: The pay and display option is called Morar Beach Car Park. The problem is that it is not that large either so on a sunny summer’s day arrive early to get a parking spot.
The ticket machine accepts cash, credit cards and phone payments.
Beach access: It is a short walk through the forest down to the beach. The path which starts from the corner of the car park keeps on branching off into smaller paths. However, all paths lead down to the beach.
Although it is not far, the path is not well maintained and it gets very steep close to the beach. There are many roots and rocks sticking out so be careful, it is easy to trip and fall!
How to Visit the Northern Side of the River (Towards Mallaig)
Where to park and how to get down to the beach?
Parking: The car park (marked in purple) is free and located at the what3words location twit.grace.choppy. There is room for a couple of cars.
It is not well sign posted and the entrance is easy to miss so use the map or the what3words location above to find it.
Next to the car park is a table looking out over the river where you can have a picnic.
Beach access: It is more difficult to access the beach on this side of the river since it is muddy close to the parking area.
For anyone walking from Morar village it is an underpass under the A830 which takes you to the picnic table mentioned above.
From here follow the signs for the pedestrian access to the beach. Keep close to the shore as you get further out. It is often wet and boggy so wear appropriate footwear.
The path along the shore passes many smaller beaches. Return the same way.
Also visiting Glenfinnan? Read my guide to seeing the Glenfinnan viaduct train
Are There Any Other Facilities at the Beach?
At the pay and display car park on the southern side there are free toilets but no proper changing facilities.
There are a couple of bays where motor homes can park overnight. Tickets for the overnight stay can be purchased at the machine in the car park.
How Important Are Tide Levels?
The tide makes a very big difference at Silver Sands. Arisaig has a couple of beaches where the tide levels are important – Silver Sands is one of them and Traigh beach is the other.
At high tide only a small part of beach is left visible. High tide is the best time to go swimming but it is not as good for walking.
Parts of the beach are narrow making it is nearly impossible to get to get out towards the sea without getting wet feet or having to scramble over rocks.
Low tide is the perfect time to explore the small bays and beaches along the river all the way out to where it meets the sea.
Can You Swim at Morar Beach?
Yes, you can swim at Silver Sands of Morar beach. The area has many beaches where you can swim but this is the best.
Being in a sheltered bay you never get big waves. The only thing to consider is tide levels since it is best to swim around high tide.
Another consideration is how cold the water is! During the summer months the average water temperature ranges from 10 to 14 degrees Celsius.
What Other Water Sports Is the Beach Suitable For?
In addition to swimming the beach is popular for kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.
There is nowhere to rent kayaks but two companies offer half day and full day trips:
- Arisaig Sea Kayaking Centre – arrange full day trips for paddlers of all levels of experience in and around Arisaig
- Rockhopper Sea Kayaking – provides full or half day kayaking trips past Silver Sands of Morar and many of the other beaches in the area
Is Morar Beach Dog Friendly?
Yes, Morar beach is dog friendly and is a popular beach with dog walkers. At low tide you are nearly guaranteed to meet someone walking their dog.
Best Viewpoints
1. Morar cross
Next to Morar train station a series of wooden steps leads through the forest up to the Morar Cross. From the top the views are over Silver Sands, Morar village and out to sea.
In the other direction is Loch Morar but the views here are more obstructed.
The first cross was raised in a ceremony following the opening of the new church in Morar (see below under things to do in the area) in 1889. The cross has been replaced several times and the iron cross today is from 1965.
2. On the beach
One of the most amazing things about this beach is that it is really a series of beaches and views are quite different depending on where you are.
The northern side is different to the southern side. Out towards the sea the smaller beaches look out towards the Small Isles. Further in there are long stretches of white sand but it feels more like a river setting.
Other Things to Do in the Area
1. Beach hop
Of all the top things to do in Arisaig and Morar the most interesting is to explore the beaches along the B8008.
Many are not marked on the map but that just adds to the enjoyment in finding them. Stop along the road to find the smaller beaches as well as the two must-visit beaches called Camusdarach beach and Traigh Beach.
2. Horse riding on the beach
Want to ride along one of the best Morar beaches? With Silversands Trekking Centre you can. One or two hour rides are available Monday to Saturday.
3. Nearby hiking trails
The nicest walk in the area is the 3.5km walk from Morar station to the beaches on the northern side.
Around Loch Morar there are many hiking routes on the northern side of the lake. You can drive into Bracorina and start from there. For a longer trek, walk to Tarbet and take the boat back to Mallaig.
4. Loch Morar
Close to Morar village is Loch Morar. Scotland has many large lochs but this is the deepest.
To experience the loch properly try one of the hiking trails described above. Alternatively view the loch from the Our Lady of Perpetual Succour & St Cumin’s Church.
5. Our Lady of Perpetual Succour & St Cumin’s Church in Morar
The idea of the church came to Lord Lovat in 1887. The Lord was the largest landowner in the area and he was suffering because his tenants were moving west.
He thought a better located and prettier place for worship would convince them to stay.
He died before he could start building the church and his wishes were carried out by his wife.
The church is built in grey local stone and it was finished in 1889. Inside the church are stained glass windows. There is plenty of parking and the church is open to the public.
6. Day trips from Arisaig to the Small Isles
One of the top things to do near Arisaig is a day trip to the Small Isles.
There are four islands in total called Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna. All the islands are surprisingly different.
Arisaig Marine operates ferry services through the summer months.
Muck and Eigg are the two islands that are most often on the schedule. In June, July and August trips to Rum and Canna are offered once a week.
The trip to Rum leaves you little time to explore the island since the trip also includes Canna. The main attraction are the puffins on Canna. But be aware that they can only be seen from a distance.
Go in June or July for the puffins. When the puffins leave depends on the weather but by August there might not be many left.
7. Wildlife cruises
There are no wildlife cruises being operated out of Morar but nearby Arisaig and Mallaig offer wildlife cruises. Seals are seen on nearly every trip.
Other wildlife such as otters, dolphins, minke whales and basking sharks are sometimes spotted but keep in mind that these species are rarely seen.
Restaurants and Cafes Nearby
There are not many restaurants in the area so its best to bring a picnic. You are allowed to use disposable barbecues on the beach but make sure you tidy up afterwards. Don’t leave any left-over food or rubbish.
At the southern side of the river you can sit on the beach but there are no picnic tables. However, on the northern side there are tables. At the what3words location twit.grace.choppy is a small car park with tables and chairs looking out over the river.
Morar Hotel has mixed reviews but it is the only place for lunch in Morar.
For dinner try Sunset Thai food. It is a takeaway and you need to book the time you want to pick up the food a couple of days in advance. They only have limited capacity each day.
There are much better dining options in Mallaig and Arisaig. For lunch go to Arisaig Marina, it has great views out to the Small Isles.
For a more substantial meal two good options are:
- The Old Library Lodge in Arisaig serves pub food. Make reservations in advance.
- The Cabin in Mallaig for seafood. The fish and chips is amazing!
Silver Sands of Morar Accommodation
Despite the area between Morar and Arisaig having a beautiful coastline there are few places to stay. The area mainly has campsites and pods around Silver Sands. Mallaig for more accommodation options.
The same is true as you get closer to Arisaig. Hotels here generally have better standards and reviews than the ones in Morar.
Two great options close to the beaches are:
- The Old Library and Lodge – Arisaig village – This is a historic inn and the closest thing you will find to a hotel in Arisaig. Click here to check price and availability.
- Seann Airidh B&B – Back of Keppoch – A small B&B with a great breakfast. Dogs are welcome. Click here to check price and availability.
How to Get To Silver Sands of Morar
By Car: There is limited public transportation in the area so car is the easiest way to get around. From Mallaig it is a 10-minute drive and from Fort William it is about one hour.
Since it is close to Mallaig you can visit these beaches from the Armadale area of Skye as well. There are regular ferries from Mallaig to Armadale which take 30 minutes.
The problem is parking. Arrive early to find a parking space and be prepared to park at the pay and display parking.
By Bike: Bike is an excellent option. Next to the toilet block at Morar Beach Car Park are secure stands where you can lock your bike.
By Train: Local trains from Mallaig, Arisaig and Fort William stop at Morar train station.
From Morar train station it is 30-minutes on foot or a short bike ride to the southeastern side of the river.
Make sure you walk in the right direction because there is no bridge between the northern and southern side of the Morar River. To cross you have to return to the train station.
To bring a bike on the train check if a bike ticket is required. It is free of charge and can be purchased at the same time as your main ticket.
By Bus: Buses run from Mallaig, Arisaig and Fort William to Morar. From Mallaig the journey time is about 20 minutes and from Fort William it is 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Four buses operate on this route – the 500, 502, 505 and 534. However, not all buses stop in Morar. Check the latest bus schedule before planning your journey.
FAQs on Silver Sand Beach
What time of year to visit?
You have a higher chance of good weather during the summer months. July and August are normally the warmest but May and June have more hours of sunshine.
Having said that, this is Scotland, so you never know. Come prepared for it to rain, be cold and sunny all on the same day.
Travelling during the summer months means that there might be midges. How bad they are depends on the year and the weather. If there is some wind they are normally kept away. But don’t let the midges stop you visiting this area.
Is the beach suitable for families with children?
Yes, this is one of the nicest beaches in the area for families. Being inland and along a river the water is calm. You never have the big waves you sometimes get at other popular beaches, such as Camusdarach.
The water is shallow making it perfect for younger children to swim. However, think about tide levels. As the photos in this post show, there is a very large difference between high and low tide.
Is the beach accessible for people with mobility issues?
The beach is difficult to access if you have mobility issues. The free parking is closest to the beach but it does involve a few large steps down to the beach and then you have soft sand.
There is no wheelchair access to the beach.
Is camping allowed at Silver Sands of Morar?
The Scottish outdoor code means that Silver Sands of Morar wild camping is allowed but it is discouraged. Signs encourage people to support one of the many campsites in the area instead.
At the Silver Sands of Morar Car Park there is room for a couple of motor homes to park overnight. Tickets can be purchased at the machine.
There are limited facilities available and no views from the car park.
Can I have a bonfire or barbecue on the beach?
It is not allowed to have a bonfire on the beach. However, you can use disposable barbecues. Take all your leftovers and rubbish with you and leave the beach as clean and tidy as you found it.
What wildlife might I see?
Given there are a lot of people and dogs on the beach you are unlikely to see much wildlife closer to the parking area.
Walking out to where the river meets the sea it gets quieter and you have a higher chance of spotting wildlife. If you are lucky, you can spot seals, otters and many types of sea birds.
Final Thoughts on the White Sands of Morar
Silver Sands of Morar is one of the prettiest beaches in this part of Scotland. It is particularly good for families looking to play in the shallow waters or build sandcastles on the beach.
Walkers will appreciate the varied views. Not many beaches start off with a river setting with green hills in the background and end up with fabulous views out to sea and the Small Isles.
Anyone travelling to Arisaig, Morar or Mallaig should add this beach to their itinerary.
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