Camasunary Bay
Wild grey sands, Cuillin giants, zero road access
About
Camasunary Bay sits on the southern coast of the Isle of Skye, a roughly 400-metre sweep of grey sand backed by the dramatic Black Cuillin ridge. The water runs a surprising turquoise against the dark shoreline, and the only sounds you'll hear are wind, waves, and the occasional curlew. A ruined stone bothy and an isolated whitewashed cottage are the sole signs of human habitation — there's no road, no café, no signal. Getting here demands effort, and that effort is exactly what keeps it wild.
How to get there
Camasunary is hike-access only — there is no road to the beach. Leave your car at the free small car park at Kilmarie on the B8083 and follow the path on foot; the walk takes around 60 minutes each way on a rough, uneven trail. The path crosses a burn that can be completely impassable after heavy rain, so check conditions before you set out. The route is entirely unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
Who it's for
For couples
For couples who hike, the 60-minute walk in acts as a natural filter — you'll have the grey sands almost entirely to yourselves, with the Cuillin as a backdrop that no viewpoint car park can match.
For families
Older children who are confident on rough terrain will find the hike and the bothy genuinely exciting, but the long rough path, the unbridged burn crossing, and the complete absence of facilities make this a poor choice for toddlers or young children.
Our take
Camasunary demands something of you before it gives anything back, and that's the whole point. The 60-minute hike on a rough path, the burn crossing, the zero signal, the no-facilities reality — these aren't inconveniences, they're the price of admission to one of the genuinely wild places left on Skye. The grey sand and turquoise water against the Black Cuillin is a combination that stops you mid-stride. Come between June and September, carry everything you need, respect the no-fire rule, and leave the place exactly as you found it. This is not a beach for a casual afternoon — it's a destination that rewards preparation and punishes complacency.
What to do
The most compelling objective from the bay is Blà Bheinn, roughly 2km away — the most isolated Munro in Scotland, with a classic ridge route that starts near Camasunary. From the shore you can also strike out on foot towards Loch Coruisk, a remote glacial loch at the heart of the Cuillin about 5km away. The village of Elgol, 5.1km distant, offers boat trips to Loch Coruisk and arguably the finest accessible panorama of the Cuillin range.
Stand at the waterline and shoot back towards the ruined bothy with the Black Cuillin ridge filling the sky — the contrast of grey sand, turquoise water, and dark peaks is unlike anything else on Skye.
The isolated whitewashed cottage framed against the mountains makes a second strong composition, best in soft evening light when the Cuillin catches a warm glow.
Where to eat
There are no food or drink facilities at Camasunary — pack everything you need before you leave the car park. The nearest options are back towards Broadford: Cafe Sia, about 13.2km away, serves pizza and seafood, and The Harbour Restaurant El Puerto, 13.6km away, offers a Spanish menu. Claymore Restaurant is another option at 14.1km.
Where to stay
Hotel Dunollie, around 13.6km from the trailhead, is the closest listed accommodation to Camasunary Bay. Given the remoteness of the walk, staying nearby the night before an early start makes real sense.
Photography
The classic shot frames the grey sand and turquoise water against the Black Cuillin ridge — shoot in the morning when the light comes from the east and the mountains are at their sharpest. The ruined bothy in the foreground with the whitewashed cottage and peaks behind gives a strong sense of scale and isolation that no other angle on Skye quite replicates.
Good to know
No fires are permitted at Camasunary — this is a strict rule, not a suggestion. There are no facilities whatsoever, so carry all food, water, and supplies in, and take every scrap of waste back out with you: leave no trace. There is no mobile signal at the bay, so download offline maps and tell someone your plans before you leave. In winter months — November through March — the path turns dangerously boggy, the burn crossing becomes hazardous, and daylight is very short; avoid those months entirely.
Map
Nearby places
Hotel Dunollie
Things to see around Broadford
Blà Bheinn
The most isolated Munro in Scotland, with a classic ridge route from Camasunary.
Loch Coruisk
Remote glacial loch at the heart of the Cuillin, accessible on foot from Camasunary.
Elgol
Village with boat trips to Loch Coruisk and the best accessible Cuillin panorama.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
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Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — Gordon Hatton · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 2 — Russel Wills · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 3 — John Allan · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 4 — Russel Wills · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 5 — Yssso · source · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Photo 6 — Yssso · source · CC BY-SA 2.0