The Beach Hunt Trail

Immerse your senses 'Above & Below' in Argyll

Pebbly shores and sandy beaches with rockpools are the order of the day at our Beach Hunts sites. Our shores are some of the best places to get close to wildlife; whether anemones in rock pools, limpets on rocks or crabs scuttling along the sand. It’s best to observe these wonderful species in their natural habitats. When exploring Argyll’s beaches please consider your potential impact on the environment and respect local guidance.

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Tips for a successful hunt

If you pick anything up, please return them quickly to the spot that you found them in, it is against the law to remove pebbles and sand from beaches in the UK. Coastal habitats can be fragile and are easily damaged.
Check the local tide time tables and aim for an hour before low tide to give you a couple of hours to explore – do research in advance to understand what happens when the tide comes in so you don’t accidentally get cut off.
Keep an eye on what is happening with the tides each day – the tides move on by roughly 50 mins each day so low tide one day will be just under an hour later the next day.
Bring a bucket and spade and either wear wellies or better still just have bare feet – you’ll want to get in the water.
Whilst it is not unlawful to remove shells and driftwood, these can provide habitats for many sea creatures, so it’s best to leave them behind.

Please pick up after your dogs, and don’t allow them to harass any wildlife. While it might be fun for them or even your children to chase flocks of birds, this is actually making the birds use up stores of energy they need to search for food and raise their young.

Know the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before you go. Please follow any local guidance aimed at reducing dune or machair erosion or avoiding disturbance of nesting birds.

Sunsets

Spending some time at the beach? Make a day of it by visiting one of our exceptional Sunset sites.

Check out our downloadable Above & Below Map and Guide or use our interactive map below >

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Immerse yourself in the experience

Have fun and enjoy using all of your senses to appreciate these amazing spaces. Taste the salt in the air, look closely at the patterns on a shell, smell some seaweed, close your eyes and enjoy the sound of shingle crunching under your feet, the sound of the waves or seabirds, and the feel of the wind on your face or sand between your toes!

Above & Below Nature Based Activities

SUNSET TRAIL

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DARK SKY TRAIL

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Dark Skies Trail Credit Ewan Miles Nightscape Photography For Coll Dark Sky Group

SNORKEL TRAIL

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WILD SWIMMING TRAIL

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Wild_Swimming_Castle_Stalker7_StephenSweeneyPhotography

Be Inspired

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Explore above & below Scotland's most beautiful coastal region

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