With the school holidays fast approaching and the sun still (sometimes) shining, what better time to enjoy the sand, sea and scenic views of Scotland’s West Coast beaches?

We asked readers what beaches within Glasgow’s vicinity are best to visit and why, as well as some of the fabulous attractions that are offered near these sandy shores.

READ NEXT: Here are 12 closed Glasgow restaurants people still miss today

1. Ardrossan South Beach

Home to two beaches and three train stations, Ardrossan’s South Beach is a long, crescent-shaped beach that features a large playground in the centre for young kids too.

Just a two-minute walk from the Ardrossan South Beach train station, this beach showcases stunning views of the Isle of Arran as well as nearby local restaurants such as the movie-themed Oscars and the Italian restaurant Cecchini’s.

Also included by the promenade are a small mini-golf area and a garden of remembrance for those that lost their lives on the HMS Dasher, an aircraft carrier that sank off the coast of Ardrossan in 1943 due to an accidental internal explosion.

2. Largs Promenade

Unlike others on this list, Largs does not have a sandy beach, instead featuring a rocky shore. However, there are many unique and exciting things to explore around the promenade.

Largs’ history is richly featured all over the town, prominently featuring the Vikings due to the famous Battle of Largs which occurred in 1263 and signifies the last time that Vikings ever invaded the British mainland.

Commemorated through the Largs Viking festival in early September, Largs promenade also features small fairground rides, excellent fish and chip shops and the ferry to Millport, a popular tourist destination.

3. Irvine Beach

Near the site of the former leisure centre The Magnum, which was demolished in 2017, Irvine Beach features the start of a large uninterrupted shore that trails down all the way to Ayr and beyond through Troon and Prestwick.

Perfect for long dog walks, the beach park features a path around a small pond with rolling hills and large sand dunes closer to the beach. The pathway also features a skate park and public exercise equipment for fitness enthusiasts.

From atop the sculpted dragon situated on one of the hills, you can view some of the many cafes and restaurants that line the path into the town centre, including the dog-friendly Gro Coffee and the award-winning gelateria Vanilla Joe’s.

4. Seamill Beach

With walks in and around the shoreside of West Kilbride Golf Club, this beach and surrounding area offer maybe the best view of the Isle of Arran on the entire West Coast, attracting amateur and expert photographers alike, with views of the island and the ferry that takes off from Ardrossan.

One of the quieter beaches on this list, the village atmosphere and short-distance walks may appeal to readers for smaller kids or furry friends.

When you’ve spent your time at the beach you can enjoy some of the outdoor areas at restaurants such as the Waterside or Seamill Hydro, or if the weather turns worse there’s the dog-friendly bar at the Seamill House Hotel.

5. Helensburgh beach

Located at the Upper Firth of the Clyde, Helensburgh’s sand and shingle beach can feature views as far as Bute on a clear sunny day and features an accessible promenade.

Being just a 20-minute drive from Dumbarton, the promenade features many cafes and diners such as the Pier Point Café, the Riva Restaurant and the Mira Mare Pizzeria.

Included on the pier is the brand-new Helensburgh Leisure Centre, having opened last year. This offers two swimming pools, a gym, and a sauna/steam room. Helensburgh also offers an active watersports scene during the summer months for the more adventurous readers!

6. Troon Beach

Another crescent-shaped bay, Troon Beach is potentially the most consistently busy beach suggested by readers. The southernmost beach on this list as well it, allows for views of Ailsa Craig as well as Arran.

When the sea is at low tide, the shore becomes enormous so with that space and the esplanade, the beach has been used in the past for people viewing events such as the Scottish Airshow that launches planes from the nearby Prestwick Airport.

Including a large play area, many ice cream vans flock to the shores during the holidays to this famous and scenic beach, with visitors also being able to see an iconic venue in The Marine Hotel, and the Royal Troon golf club, which will host The Open in 2024.

READ NEXT: Five Glasgow walks to try off the beaten track

While foreign holidays and destinations are being favoured more and more by the public, it’s hard to deny the childhood sense of excitement for a wee beach day out.

So, whether this list stirred up some memories or some ideas for future day trips away, we hope you’ll be able to take advantage of these locations less than an hour away from Glasgow!