Torrisdale Bay and Broch, Invernaver

Beach near Sutherland

Torrisdale Bay Bettyhill
Torrisdale Bay Bettyhill
CC BY-SA 2.0 / djmacpherson

Torrisdale Bay is one of those beaches that feels earned in the best possible way: you don’t just “arrive,” you walk in, and the landscape slowly opens into a wide, golden sweep of sand backed by impressive dunes and open moorland. Set just west of Bettyhill on Scotland’s far north coast, it sits between two famous salmon rivers, the Naver and the Borgie, which gives the bay a wild, elemental feel-freshwater meeting Atlantic swell, with seabirds and shifting light doing their thing overhead.

Because it’s reached on foot, Torrisdale Bay often feels quieter and more spacious than you’d expect for one of the things to do in Bettyhill, especially once you step beyond the first stretch of sand. If you’re building a walking tour of Bettyhill and the surrounding coastline, this is the kind of detour that turns a simple day out into a full Highlands memory: dunes underfoot, surf rolling in, and a headland that feels both exposed and oddly intimate.

History and Significance of the Torrisdale Bay

Torrisdale Bay isn’t just scenic-it’s layered with natural history and human traces. The headland and dune system here are shaped by powerful coastal processes, and the exposure creates unusual growing conditions; in sheltered pockets you can find plant life that’s more typical of higher ground, thriving down at sea level because of the wind, salt, and cool air.

Look beyond the beach itself and you’ll also find an archaeological story threaded through the raised ground above the River Naver. Remains such as hut circles, enclosures, and burial features are part of what makes this area so compelling: it’s a coastline that has drawn people for a long time, not only for the view but for access to river, sea, and fertile grazing.

The combination of surf, salmon rivers, rare coastal habitats, and archaeological remains gives Torrisdale Bay a sense of significance that goes beyond “pretty beach.” It’s a place where the landscape is the main exhibit, and the best way to understand it is simply to walk through it slowly and notice what changes from river mouth to dunes to headland.

Things to See and Do in the Torrisdale Bay

The obvious highlight is the beach itself: a broad, dune-backed stretch with a huge sense of space, especially at low tide when the sand seems to go on forever. Surfers love it for the challenging conditions, and even if you’re not getting in the water, it’s worth lingering to watch the sets roll in and the light flicker across the bay.

If you want more than a quick viewpoint, the classic circuit is the 5 mile / 8 km walk that links the beach, dunes, riverside sections and open moorland. One of the most rewarding moments on the route is reaching the Iron Age broch, where the viewpoint pulls the whole landscape together-sea, river mouths, dunes, and the long, quiet line of the north coast.

For nature lovers, the headland is the real secret weapon. It’s an important wildlife area, and the exposed terrain makes it feel raw and alive, from seabirds riding the wind to the hardy plant life clinging to the coastal slope. Bring binoculars if you have them, and treat the walk as a slow exploration rather than a march to a single “finish line.”

How to Get to the Torrisdale Bay

Inverness Airport is the most convenient gateway for reaching Bettyhill and the north Sutherland coast. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Sutherland on Booking.com.
Wick John O'Groats Airport can also work if you're coming from Caithness or building a wider far-north itinerary. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Sutherland on Booking.com.

If you want to travel part of the way by rail, the most practical approach is to take the train to Thurso or Lairg and then continue by bus or taxi toward Bettyhill. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.
Rail can be a good option if you prefer breaking up long driving days, but the final leg still needs planning because services are limited. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Buses do reach Bettyhill, but they can be infrequent and often require a change, so check timetables carefully if you’re aiming for a same-day return. Once you’re in Bettyhill, you’ll still need a plan for the walk-in point (taxi, lift, or a longer hike).

Driving is the simplest way to make Torrisdale Bay work smoothly: most walkers park near the River Naver bridge on the A836 (where space is limited), then walk along the road to Invernaver and follow the route out to the bay.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Torrisdale Bay

  • Entrance fee: Free
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Official website:
  • Best time to visit: Go around low tide for maximum sand and easier beach walking, and pick a calmer weather window if you want a gentler experience (the wind can be serious here).
  • How long to spend: Allow 1-2 hours for a simple beach visit, or 2.5-4 hours if you’re doing the full 8 km circuit with time for stops and viewpoints.
  • Accessibility: The walk-in and dune terrain include uneven ground and soft sand; it’s best suited to confident walkers with sturdy footwear.
  • Facilities: There are no facilities at the bay, so stock up in Bettyhill and bring water, snacks, and an extra layer even in summer.

Where to Stay Close to the Torrisdale Bay

For the easiest logistics and quick access to the walk-in point, base yourself in Bettyhill; if your trip is focused on coastal scenery and you want a slightly broader hub for day trips, Tongue is a strong alternative.

Staying local keeps the experience relaxed, especially if you want to time your visit with the tides and light. Bettyhill Hotel is a classic choice with a convenient village base, while Farr Bay Inn is ideal if you like being close to the dunes and want a more boutique, beach-adjacent feel. If you'd rather position yourself for wider exploring along the Kyle of Tongue and north Sutherland loops, Tongue Hotel makes an excellent base.

Is the Torrisdale Bay Worth Visiting?

Yes-especially if you value places that feel wild, spacious, and a little bit earned. The walk-in keeps numbers down, and the payoff is a beach-and-dunes landscape that feels properly Highland in scale and mood.

It’s also more than a single-view stop. Between the river mouths, the dune system, the headland habitat, and the broch viewpoint, Torrisdale Bay rewards a slower visit where the scenery changes as you move through it.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Torrisdale Bay can be fantastic for families who enjoy walking and wide-open nature, because the beach feels like a giant playground once you arrive. Keep the plan simple-walk in, explore the dunes sensibly, and build in snack stops-rather than aiming for the full circuit if little legs are uncertain.

If you do attempt the longer loop, treat it as a hike with weather exposure rather than a casual stroll. Windproof layers and sturdy shoes make a bigger difference here than almost anywhere, and staying well back from dune edges and river mouths keeps things stress-free.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, this is a high-impact, low-frills kind of romance: long sand, big skies, and the sound of the Atlantic. It’s perfect if you like quiet places where the “date” is simply walking together and letting the landscape do the talking.

Time it for late afternoon if you can, when the light softens and the bay feels especially cinematic. Pair it with a cosy dinner back in Bettyhill or Tongue and you’ve got a day that feels both adventurous and restorative.

Budget Travelers

Torrisdale Bay is ideal for budget travel because it’s free and delivers the kind of scenery people usually associate with expensive tours. Your main costs are transport and supplies, so packing food and planning fuel stops are the smartest ways to keep the day affordable.

If you’re travelling the far north on a tight budget, this is exactly the sort of place that makes the trip feel rich without spending much. A thermos, a good jacket, and a tide-aware plan go a long way here.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

5.0 (6)

Torrisdale Bay (SS John Randolph), Torrisdale, Thurso KW14 7TH, UK is a sandy Atlantic-facing beach reached by a good, sometimes long walk of up to a few hours; visitors praise its expansive outlook over the ocean, describe the wreck of the SS John Randolph as a skeletal hulk resting on the shore, and call the spot perfect for a scenic coastal visit.

Peter Werner
2 months ago
"Beautiful sandy beach with a magnificent look out on the Atlantic Ocean."
kev d
2 years ago
"The SS John Randolph is now no more than a skeleton of her hull. Nature will in time claim her completely. Good long walk to see her and of course,the stu ing Torrisdale Bay. She was I believe, a liberty ship on her way from Russia as part of a convoy. This was in 1942 I think and the minesweeper leading the convoy mistook an iceberg for the tip of Iceland and changed the convoy's course to avoid newly laid allied mines. The minesweeper led them straight into the minefield. The minesweeper was lost along with several merchant ships. Several more were damaged beyond repair, the SS John Randolph being one of these and she limped out of the minefield and was towed as far as Torrisdaled where she beached and now rests...."
Lui42
6 months ago
"A great walk, thay could also up to three hours"

FAQs for Visiting Torrisdale Bay

Getting There

It sits on the north Sutherland coast just west of Bettyhill, between the mouths of the River Naver and the River Borgie. The bay feels remote because access is on foot, even though it’s close to the road network.
Most walkers approach from the Invernaver side, following a minor road and then continuing on footpaths toward the dunes and beach. It’s straightforward in good visibility, but it still helps to have a map app or route notes for confidence.
Not easily, because the River Naver blocks a simple shoreline walk. It’s better to use the standard walk-in route rather than trying to force a “beach-only” approach.
Parking is limited and informal, so arrive early in busy periods and park considerately. If spaces are full, the best plan is to start from Bettyhill and adjust your route rather than squeezing into fragile verges.

Visiting Experience

It can be, but it’s an exposed Atlantic beach with cold water, currents, and changing conditions. If you swim, keep it conservative and treat it as a quick dip rather than a relaxed, long swim.
Yes, it’s popular with surfers who enjoy a more challenging, exposed break. Conditions can change quickly, so it suits confident surfers who know how to read tides and rips.
If you’re short on time, focus on reaching the sand and exploring a short section of dunes before heading back. You’ll still get the “wow” factor without committing to the full loop.

Safety, Tides & Conditions

Yes-tides affect how much firm sand you have and can change how easy the shoreline feels underfoot. Planning around low tide usually gives the most comfortable walking and the biggest sense of space.
Very much so, especially on the headland and moorland sections where wind has nothing to slow it down. If the forecast is rough, stick to a shorter beach visit and skip higher, more exposed sections.
No-treat the river mouths as hard boundaries rather than something to ford. Routes are designed to avoid unsafe crossings, and it’s always better to turn back than to gamble with water levels.

Wildlife, Photography & Landscape

Seabirds are common, and you may spot raptors using the wind over the headland. In quieter moments you can also see signs of coastal wildlife along the dune edges and river areas.
Yes, especially for wide landscapes and dramatic weather. The best photos often come from including the dunes and headland rather than focusing only on the shoreline.

Fishing & Local Context

Yes, the River Naver is well known for salmon fishing, but access is typically controlled by permits and beats. If fishing is part of your plan, arrange permits in advance so you’re not relying on luck on the day.
Absolutely-the broch viewpoint and the raised ground with archaeological remains add real depth to the walk. Even if you’re not a history specialist, the sense of “layers in the landscape” is part of what makes the area memorable.

Nearby Attractions to the Torrisdale Bay

  • Strathnaver Museum (Bettyhill): A small but powerful museum that gives real context to the clearances and life in Strathnaver.
  • Farr Beach (Bettyhill): A wide, easy-access beach for a simpler sea-air stop right by the village.
  • Achanlochy Clearance Village: A quiet, atmospheric place where ruins and landscape tell the story of cleared communities.
  • Borgie Glen and River Borgie: A scenic river area known for salmon, woodland feel, and a different texture from the open coast.
  • Castle Varrich (Tongue): A short hike to a hilltop ruin with sweeping views over the Kyle of Tongue and the surrounding peaks.

The Torrisdale Bay and Broch, Invernaver appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Sutherland!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free

Address: Torrisdale Bay (SS John Randolph) Torrisdale Thurso KW14 7TH United Kingdom
Sutherland: 37 km

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