Melness Sands. Photographer; Gavin Coppins.
Photo Description
Talmine is a wonderful village hidden on the shores of the Kyle of Tongue, a few miles from the main road, the A838. This picture was shot in April near the roadside a mile or so before the village and is looking over the Kyle of Tongue towards the beach and hamlet of Coldbackie. The hill on the right of the shot is Cnoc An Fhreiceadain (307m), appearing in an episode of BBC’s Top Gear programme where a Landrover Discovery was driven over the moorland to the summit.
At low tide, it almost seems possible to walk over the sands to Coldbackie but there is a deep river channel which prevents this. The beaches on both sides of the Kyle have white to golden sands and are clean with seldom more than one or two people on them. Be warned however, if you fancy a swim, the water is very cold and a quick dip the most that can be endured to all but the most hardy!
Nearby, welcome sustenance can be had at the Craggan Hotel at Melness where the big mackay burger and chips can be thoroughly recommended. Talmine also has a nice but basic campsite, nestled beside one of the beaches. One particular visit back in 2003 saw the place packed for the Annular Eclipse. This must have been one of the very few times the roads were busy and Patrick Moore was in attendance to witness a wonderful eclipse at sunrise.
Photo location
