Surfing in Scotland is a minor sport. The water around Scotland is fairly cold, requiring a full wetsuit, although it is warmed by the Gulf Stream.

In 2008, the actor Billy Boyd fronted VisitScotland's Perfect Day Campaign, and talked particularly of his love of surfing in Scotland, particularly in Machrihanish near the town of Campbelltown in Kintyre on the west coast of Scotland and Pease Bay and Coldingham Bay on Scotland's east coast. In an interview about the campaign with The Scotsman on 28 July, he said "I don't really do much promotional stuff but felt that with this one I could be honest...I'm very proud of where I come from and I get very excited if a friend comes over and I can show them around."

Surfing locations

Surfing locations in Scotland include the following:

East Coast

  • Coldingham Bay
  • Eyemouth
  • Pease Bay
  • St. Abbs

West Coast

  • Machrihanish, Kintyre

North Coast

  • Thurso East

Islands

  • Ness, Lewis
  • Tiree

References


Surfing in Scotland 2024 Rove.me

Scotland Surf + Travel Surf Coo

Looking for the best surfing spots in Scotland // Dunbar on the East Coast

Surfing Phingask Aberdeenshire Northeastern Scotland United Kingdom

Insider’s Guide to Surfing in Scotland