It comes as Chris Haslam, the publication's award-winning chief travel writer, selected the UK’s top 50 beaches from a total of 756 that he personally visited and inspected on a month-long campervan tour of the British and Northern Irish coasts.
The 17th edition of the annual guide showcases the unrivalled beauty of the UK seaside, evaluated through a rigorous 11-point inspection checklist. Criteria include water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car-parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness.
Seacliff, in East Lothian, is Scotland’s beach of the year, but the Sunday Times also selected other beaches across the country, which you can see by browsing our photo gallery.
In his description of Seacliff, Haslam says: “Hidden at the west end is the smallest harbour in the British Isles. About the size of a hotel pool, it’s a steampunk fantasy cut out of the sandstone using a steam engine and a compressor in 1890 by laird of the manor Andrew Laidlay.”
Take a look through our gallery to see Scotland's 8 best beaches, according to the Sunday Times.
5. Spey Bay
Located to the east of the mouth of the River Spey, Spey Bay is the largest shingle beach in Scotland. | Wiki Commons
6. Cullen Bay
The three stacks that protrude from the beach at Cullen Bay are known as the Three Kings Photo: supplied
7. St Cyrus Beach
St Cyrus Beach in Aberdeenshire looking North, with the exposed beach from the low tide stretching away into the Distance. | Julian - stock.adobe.com
8. Achininver, Highland
Located east of the village of Durness, this stunning beach is a popular spot for those exploring the North Coast 500 route. | Low tide at Achininver beach by Peter Moore / Geograph Britain and Ireland / Wiki Commons