Tom Wood
A beach in the UK has been praised online for being reminiscent of somewhere in the Philippines, with lovely sandy shores and dolphins swimming in the oceans around it.
Of course, the climate in the Philippines might be slightly more temperate, but that doesn’t mean that this remote strand is any less beautiful or tranquil to visit.
Sure, you might need to wear a fleece and maybe a woolly hat, but you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to experience this.
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It’s called Achmelvich and it’s in the Highland region of Scotland, meaning that you could reach it in a matter of hours from most places in the UK if you drive.
Around 40 miles from Ullapool and about three miles from the small settlement of Lochinver, Achmelvich is pretty remote.
In fact, if you want to get down to it, there’s only a single track road that leads you down to the bay.
For those who like the peace and serenity of nature, that’s a massive green flag.
It’s no secret that Britain has some lovely beaches – although the sewage being pumped into the water surrounding some of them isn’t fantastic – and this beach is pretty popular with tourists, but you should still be able to appreciate it properly.
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On accommodation website Booking.com, some have even compared Achmelvich with places that are much more exotic and far-flung from the shores of the British Isles.
One review said: "This wide, perfectly-curved crescent of brilliant white sand feels reminiscent of the Philippines, yet is actually a remote and contemplative spot in the Scottish Highlands."
Another thing that draws people in – and draws further comparisons with more exotic locations – is the fact that you can often see dolphins in the seas around Achmelvich.
On the website of the North Coast 500 – the famous Scottish tourist trail – it says: "There have been numerous sightings of porpoises, dolphins, and the occasional minke whale."
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They also add that the bay is ‘an ideal spot for water sports or even rock pool fishing’.
Chuck in a sandwich and a can of lager, and you’ve got one hell of an afternoon, there.
There’s also a strange structure called ‘The Hermit’s Castle’ that is described as a ‘concrete folly built in a Brutalist style that blends in a very surprising way into its rocky shoreside setting’.
The theory goes that it was built in the 1950s by an architect, but it has also been nicknamed ‘Europe’s Smallest Castle’.
On TripAdvisor, the beach has a score of 4.5/5, and one comment reads: "We had the best morning on this beach.
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“We paddle boarded in the crystal clear water, the sand is whiter than white, it’s such a beauty you won’t want to leave."
So, if you get the weather, or don’t mind braving the elements a bit, it looks like a beautiful spot to wile away an afternoon.
You might even spot a dolphin.
It’s definitely easier to get to than the Philippines, anyway.
We’ll leave you with the words of Undiscovered Scotland, who wrote: "This is a wonderful place, and you shouldn't let the idea of some unusually challenging single track roads put you off."