A beach in Scotland has been named the second most beautiful place in the world, placing ahead of Machu Pichu in Peru and The Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The publisher of the list, The Times, said: "Ancient mountaintop citadels, red-rocked lands sculpted by millennia or glitzy island idylls where the high life awaits: there is nothing to drag you away from the hum-drum of the everyday grind like fixing your gaze on a gorgeous vista.

"Here, we reveal places that fly high when it comes to beauty. While some are well-trodden bucket-list staples, others, if you dodge peak season, might be yours alone to enjoy…"

Scottish 'Caribbean-esque' beach named one of the most beautiful places in the world

Glasgow Times: Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye was said to be 'Caribbean-esque'.Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye was said to be 'Caribbean-esque'. (Image: Getty)

The Times newspaper named Coral Beach on the Isle of Skye in Scotland the second most beautiful place in the world.

 Discussing the idyllic location, the title said: "A Caribbean-esque beach on Scottish shores? The alabaster white sands at Coral Beach, just north of Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye’s north coast, promise just that.

"From the nearby crofting village of Claigan, it’s a 25-minute stroll on foot to reach the bay — and it’s worth the shoe leather. Even in peak season, Coral Beach can feel like your own. The sands are so white that the sea looks azure blue by contrast on a hot day and it’s great for a swim too.

"Pack your nerve; the crystal clear waters are bracing at any time of year. On the horizon, there’s spirit-lifting views of Loch Dunvegan and beyond."

Kirkstone Pass in the Lake District was the only other place in the UK featured on the list with the newspaper praising it for its "jaw-dropping photo" opportunities.

The region's highest pass was also dubbed a "thrilling drive" with "plenty of points to stop and soak up the view or amble a while in it."