This hidden gem has a lot to offer from a quiet harbour, a campsite, rocks and rockpools, shells, and views.
If you continue on the road through Melness, you will come to Talmine next. This is a small village, clustered on the hillside above a cove and a manmade harbour. There is a small post office and store in the village itself, although many visitors are drawn to the road that leads down to the campsite and beach.
The campsite is right next to the beach, although the bit closest to the campsite is pebbly, becoming more sandy if you walk further out to sea and along the shoreline. There is something fun about stopping here and enjoying the satisfying "plop" of dropping a pebble in the stream or the sea. There is also an old shipwreck to explore and a pleasant view across to the harbour.
The road leads back out of the cove and over to the harbour, with a pocket of sandy beach. From here there is a lovely view back over to the village and to Watch Hill on the other side of the Kyle of Tongue. You could try a bit of crabbing here or even a spot of sea fishing from the rocks.
There is a gate here that blocks access to a rough track and is there to dissuade campervans from venturing further, but if you have a suitable car, or would like to walk further, then go through the gate (close it behind you) and continue down here (there are deep potholes) until you reach another beach.
Here you will find a mixture of flat stones and sand, coarse with broken shells. In the small cove, sheltered by the low cliffs, you will find numerous shells and ample variety, including the elusive cowrie shells (known locally as groaties); an unusual find outside the Caithness beaches.
The steeply dipping rocks off shore here make for excellent rockpools as the tide goes out and it is possible to find small fish, shrimps, crabs and other sealife.
Notes for visitors with mobility issues:
It is possible to drive to Talmine Bay and park with nice views.