Portskerra Coast Walk

This is a very short, easy coastal outing of 0.6 km / 0.4 mi with just 7 m / 23 ft of ascent and descent, taking about 8 minutes. It suits anyone looking for a brief walk beside the sea rather than a full hike, with open views over Melvich Bay and the harbour at Portskerra.

The route

The walk follows the shore around Portskerra on a mix of grassy coastal path and short stretches of quiet tarmac lane. The ground is gentle and the route stays low, so the main appeal is the sea frontage and the harbour setting.

Getting there

Portskerra lies just west of Melvich in north Sutherland. For drivers, there is parking by the pier at the Drownings Memorial car park. By public transport, Portskerra is served by the 800 bus between the Melvich and Bettyhill area and Thurso.

Highlights along the shore

Even on such a short route, the setting is memorable. The harbour and jetty sit above a rocky foreshore, and the coast here looks across Melvich Bay toward the long sands of Melvich Beach.

History and landscape

The pier-side memorial commemorates 26 local fishermen lost in three separate accidents off this coast.

Terrain and preparation

With such a short distance and minimal climbing, this is an easy walk in ordinary walking shoes when conditions are dry. The grassy path can still be uneven in places, and the exposed shoreline means wind can be the main factor even on a brief outing. For navigation, use HiiKER before setting out.