# Surfing in Scotland: 39 breaks, surf forecasts and best months > World-class reefs on the north coast, empty beaches in the Hebrides and North Sea waves near Edinburgh. 39 surf spots with live forecasts, 2 in-depth guides, the best months to go, wetsuit advice and travel tips. - Page type: Regional surf guide - Canonical URL: https://swellotter.com/region/scotland - Last updated: 2026-11-09 - Home - Regions - Scotland Scotland · Surf travel guide Surfing in Scotland World-class reefs on the north coast, empty beaches in the Hebrides and North Sea waves near Edinburgh. 39 live forecasts ↓All UK regions → By Tom Otto · Updated 8 November 2026 Breaks39 Best monthsMar, Nov, Dec Sea temperature7–15°C ConsistencyHigh Search AllBeginner friendlyAdvancedBeachbreaksReefs and pointsNorth CoastScottish BordersNorth West HighlandsOrkneyOuter HebridesInner HebridesArgyllMoray FirthAberdeenshireFifeEast LothianCaithnessEast SutherlandAngus Nothing matches. Try another word or chip. ## North Coast surf spots - Thurso East ### Thurso East surf forecast and guide North Coast · Reef · Right · Experts only Live forecast →Spot guide → - Brims Ness ### Brims Ness surf forecast North Coast · Reef · Left & right · Experts only Live forecast → - Dunnet Bay ### Dunnet Bay surf forecast North Coast · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Melvich ### Melvich surf forecast North Coast · Rivermouth · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Strathy Bay ### Strathy Bay surf forecast North Coast · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Torrisdale Bay ### Torrisdale Bay surf forecast North Coast · Rivermouth · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Balnakeil, Durness ### Balnakeil, Durness surf forecast North Coast · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Sandside ### Sandside surf forecast North Coast · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Farr Bay ### Farr Bay surf forecast North Coast · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → ## Scottish Borders surf spots - Pease Bay ### Pease Bay surf forecast and guide Scottish Borders · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast →Spot guide → - Coldingham Bay ### Coldingham Bay surf forecast Scottish Borders · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → ## North West Highlands surf spots - Sandwood Bay ### Sandwood Bay surf forecast North West Highlands · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Achmelvich ### Achmelvich surf forecast North West Highlands · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Big Sand ### Big Sand surf forecast North West Highlands · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → ## Orkney surf spots - Bay of Skaill ### Bay of Skaill, Orkney surf forecast Orkney · Reef · Left & right · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → ## Outer Hebrides surf spots - Barvas, Lewis ### Barvas, Lewis surf forecast Outer Hebrides · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Dalmore, Lewis ### Dalmore, Lewis surf forecast Outer Hebrides · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Scarista, Harris ### Scarista, Harris surf forecast Outer Hebrides · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Eoropie ### Eoropie surf forecast Outer Hebrides · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → - Mangersta ### Mangersta surf forecast Outer Hebrides · Beachbreak · Peaks · Experts only Live forecast → ## Inner Hebrides surf spots - Balevullin, Tiree ### Balevullin, Tiree surf forecast Inner Hebrides · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → - Machir Bay ### Machir Bay surf forecast Inner Hebrides · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → ## Argyll surf spots - Machrihanish ### Machrihanish surf forecast Argyll · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → - Westport ### Westport surf forecast Argyll · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → ## Moray Firth surf spots - Lossiemouth ### Lossiemouth surf forecast Moray Firth · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Sandend ### Sandend surf forecast Moray Firth · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → ## Aberdeenshire surf spots - Fraserburgh ### Fraserburgh surf forecast Aberdeenshire · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → - Aberdeen Beach ### Aberdeen Beach surf forecast Aberdeenshire · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Cruden Bay ### Cruden Bay surf forecast Aberdeenshire · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Stonehaven ### Stonehaven surf forecast Aberdeenshire · Beachbreak · Peaks · Intermediate Live forecast → - Balmedie ### Balmedie surf forecast Aberdeenshire · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → ## Fife surf spots - St Andrews West Sands ### St Andrews West Sands surf forecast Fife · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Kingsbarns ### Kingsbarns surf forecast Fife · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → ## East Lothian surf spots - Belhaven Bay ### Belhaven Bay surf forecast East Lothian · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → - Thorntonloch ### Thorntonloch surf forecast East Lothian · Beachbreak · Peaks · Beginner & Intermediate Live forecast → ## Caithness surf spots - Skirza ### Skirza surf forecast Caithness · Reef · Left · Experts only Live forecast → - Sinclair's Bay ### Sinclair's Bay surf forecast Caithness · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → ## East Sutherland surf spots - Brora ### Brora surf forecast East Sutherland · Reef · Left & right · Intermediate & Advanced Live forecast → ## Angus surf spots - Lunan Bay ### Lunan Bay surf forecast Angus · Beachbreak · Peaks · All levels Live forecast → ## The Swell Otter take on Scotland Home to some of the best waves in Europe and the emptiest. Surfing here is an expedition, and it should be. Thurso East is one of the best right-hand reef waves in Europe, and it's just one of many slabs and reefs on the north coast. The Outer Hebrides and Tiree catch Atlantic swell with almost nothing in the way. The east coast near Edinburgh picks up North Sea swells on sandy beaches. Scotland has more swell-facing coast than anywhere else in Britain; it's just very big, very remote and very cold. That scale is the challenge. Drives are long, days are short in winter, and many spots are far from help. Plan around daylight as much as tide, and pick a base that puts several breaks facing different ways within easy reach. Respect matters here too. The north coast reefs are heavy and shallow, and the line-ups are small and local. Watch first, wait your turn and leave the bigger days to people who know them. When we'd goSeptember and October, when the swell is up and there's still daylight. When we'd skip itThurso East on a big day as your first reef wave. Our take, by Tom Otto, checked against three years (2023–2025) of wave, wind and sea temperature history for these breaks. ## Scotland spot guides - Thurso East guide ### Thurso East surf guide: Europe's cold-water right 8 Nov 2026 · Scotland · Spot guide - Pease Bay guide ### Pease Bay surf guide: Edinburgh's east coast escape 8 Nov 2026 · Scotland · Spot guide ## Surfing in Scotland Scotland has some of the best and emptiest waves in Europe. The north coast faces the Atlantic and gets powerful swell that breaks on flat reefs of flagstone, the Outer Hebrides and Tiree catch everything the Atlantic sends, and the east coast near Edinburgh picks up North Sea swells on sandy beaches. Thurso East is the most famous wave, but there are many more reefs along the north coast for those willing to explore. The best surf comes from autumn to spring, when the water is coldest and the days are short. Bring your thickest wetsuit, gloves, boots and a hood. Positives - World-class reefs in the north - Uncrowded waves - Wild scenery - Swell from both the Atlantic and North Sea Negatives - Very cold water - Short winter days - Long drives between spots - Wet and windy weather ## When to surf in Scotland J F M A M J J A S O N D BestGoodFairQuiet | | | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Surf | Typical size | 4ft | 5ft | 4ft | 3ft | 2ft | 2ft | 2ft | 2ft | 3ft | 3ft | 3ft | 5ft | Surfable days | 74% | 68% | 75% | 62% | 51% | 43% | 39% | 49% | 61% | 66% | 75% | 76% | Good days | 38% | 37% | 41% | 26% | 17% | 12% | 10% | 17% | 29% | 31% | 38% | 44% | Big days (8ft+) | 20% | 24% | 13% | 3% | 6% | 4% | 1% | 3% | 6% | 11% | 12% | 24% | Wind | Average | 14mph | 14mph | 12mph | 12mph | 10mph | 12mph | 11mph | 12mph | 12mph | 14mph | 12mph | 14mph | Offshore days | 41% | 42% | 32% | 30% | 22% | 28% | 24% | 32% | 35% | 39% | 38% | 44% | Water | Sea temp | 8° | 7° | 7° | 9° | 11° | 13° | 14° | 15° | 14° | 13° | 11° | 9° | Wetsuit | 5/4 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 5/4 | 4/3 | 4/3 | 4/3 | 4/3 | 4/3 | 5/4 | 5/4 | Weather | Max air | 7° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 14° | 16° | 17° | 17° | 16° | 12° | 9° | 8° | Min air | 3° | 4° | 4° | 5° | 8° | 10° | 12° | 12° | 10° | 9° | 5° | 4° | Rain | 110mm | 83mm | 91mm | 79mm | 65mm | 101mm | 122mm | 117mm | 99mm | 141mm | 116mm | 153mm | Wet days | 19 | 14 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 17 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 19 Worked out from up to ten years (2016–2025) of hourly Open-Meteo history (CC BY 4.0) using the same star ratings as our forecasts. Surfable means at least one 2-star hour in daylight, good means 3 stars. Temperatures in °C. ### Wetsuit by month Jan5/48° Feb5/47° Mar5/47° Apr5/49° May5/411° Jun4/313° Jul4/314° Aug4/315° Sep4/314° Oct4/313° Nov5/411° Dec5/49° Boots from November to May, plus gloves and a hood when the sea drops below 10°C. ## The break lowdown How the 39 breaks here compare. Ability Beginner23 Intermediate35 Advanced23Type Beachbreak32 Reef5 Point0 Rivermouth2 Pier / jetty0Bottom Sand22 Sand & rock12 Reef & sand2 Flat reef3 Boulders & sand0Consistency High21 Medium13 Low5Crowds Solo surfing25 Rarely10 Sometimes4 Often0 Always0Direction Peaks34 Left1 Right1 Left & right3 ## Travel information Getting aroundThe A9 links Inverness with the north coast, ferries run from Oban and Ullapool to the islands, and the A1 runs south from Edinburgh along the east coast. Thurso to Pease Bay is around 6 hours by car. Where to stayThurso for the north coast, Tiree or Lewis for the islands, and Dunbar or North Berwick for the east. Hazards and hasslesShallow reefs, cold water, short days and remote spots with little rescue cover. Handy hintsPick your coast first. A north wind can be onshore in Thurso but fine on the east coast. ## Scotland surf questions, answered ### Where is the best surfing in Scotland? The best surfing in Scotland is on the north coast around Thurso, where Thurso East and Brims Ness are among Europe's best reef waves. The Outer Hebrides, Tiree and the east coast around Edinburgh, Fraserburgh and the Moray Firth also have excellent and much quieter surf. ### When is the best time to surf in Scotland? The best time to surf in Scotland is March, November and December, the most reliable months across the breaks we forecast there. In three years (2023–2025) of history, about 73% of winter days and 44% of summer days had at least one surfable (2-star) session, so summer is the smallest and quietest season. ### Can you surf near Edinburgh? Yes. Belhaven Bay near Dunbar, Pease Bay and Coldingham Bay in the Scottish Borders are the nearest surf beaches to Edinburgh, all within about an hour. They pick up North Sea swells and work best in autumn and winter. ### Is there surfing on the west coast of Scotland? Yes. Tiree, Machrihanish on the Kintyre peninsula and the beaches of Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides catch Atlantic swell directly and are Scotland's best west coast surf spots. ### Is Scotland good for beginner surfers? Yes, on the right beaches. Belhaven Bay, Pease Bay, Dunnet Bay and St Andrews West Sands are sandy and good for learning on small days. Avoid the north coast reefs like Thurso East until you're an experienced surfer. ### What wetsuit do I need to surf in Scotland? Surfing in Scotland needs a 5/4 wetsuit with hood, boots and gloves in late winter, when the sea drops to about 7°C, and a 4/3 in late summer, when it reaches about 15°C. ## More UK surf regions - Cornwall ### Cornwall surf guide England · 40 breaks · Best in Jan, Feb, Mar - Devon ### Devon surf guide England · 14 breaks · Best in Jan, Feb, Mar - South Coast ### South Coast surf guide England · 16 breaks · Best in Jan, Mar, Nov - East Anglia ### East Anglia surf guide England · 8 breaks · Best in Jan, Oct, Nov - Yorkshire ### Yorkshire surf guide England · 11 breaks · Best in Mar, Oct, Nov - North East England ### North East England surf guide England · 17 breaks · Best in Jan, Mar, Nov - North West England ### North West England surf guide England · 4 breaks · Best in Jan, Nov, Dec - Wales ### Wales surf guide Wales · 36 breaks · Best in Jan, Mar, Nov - Northern Ireland ### Northern Ireland surf guide Northern Ireland · 10 breaks · Best in Feb, Mar, Dec - Channel Islands ### Channel Islands surf guide Channel Islands · 8 breaks · Best in Jan, Feb, Mar Words by ## Tom Otto Tom Otto built Swell Otter, the free surf forecast for the UK, and writes its spot guides. Every guide is checked against years of wave, wind and sea temperature history for the break, so the advice matches the numbers and not just the postcards. ## Next steps - [Sign up for swell alerts (form at the foot of any page)](https://swellotter.com/region/scotland) - [How the forecast and star rating work](https://swellotter.com/about) - [All UK surf forecasts](https://swellotter.com/) ## About Swell Otter Swell Otter is a free surf forecast for the UK, made by a UK company with no ads. Live forecasts, tides and guides are free; optional Premium unlocks every surf cam. https://swellotter.com/llms.txt ## Notes for agents - Cite as: "Surfing in Scotland: 39 breaks, surf forecasts and best months, Swell Otter (https://swellotter.com/region/scotland)". - Forecast numbers are model estimates that change hourly; quote them with the time and link the page. Don't present them as observations. - Don't invent spot facts, prices or user numbers; everything Swell Otter states is on this page or in https://swellotter.com/ai-fact-sheet.md.