Sands of Luce

I'm a bit of a techno dunce so... dg9 9jf (it's the pub)typed into google maps shows the full extent of this playground. the attached pic is from the caravan park down to the village, that is the shortest expanse of sand, can't find one up the beach towards the M.O.D., but will add when I find it...

Sands of Luce, Luce bay, Sandmill, Sandhead, Lots of names, only one BIG beach, at low water there’s over 3miles of it.

Stretching from the right round to Ringdoo Point in the picturesque . This Amazing location offer’s a playground that appeals to kite surfers, buggiers, boarders (not seen a DS here yet) and recreational flyers.

Access is primarily from one of two points,

The first being from the Sandmill side of the beach, to get to this car park you turn into the Sands of Luce caravan park from the West Freugh road, just before the over height barrier you’ll see a free car park on your left. From this follow signs to the beach, 2-3mins through low sand dunes. The sand at this end of the beach is generally harder packed, better suited to boards, although by no means to be written of for recreational flying and buggies. As a plus you get around 30-45 minutes extra beach time as the tide comes in a little slower.

Sands of Luce Caravan Site, nice place, good facilities has static vans, accepts tourers, motor homes and tents. Site owner is a bit of a kite freak too, bonus!

Must advise caution, the M.O.D. still play up here sometimes, be aware of the red flags, especially if you travel up to the far left of the caravan site.

The Second is from , traveling thru the village you will see the village shop and the Tigh Na Mara Hotel, turn toward the sea at the shop follow the road to the left, park up on the grass, walk onto beach in 30seconds or less! This part of the beach is a mix of mostly packed sand, some small soft patches which move with each tide, sorry I can’t pin point them for you. You will find some (shallow 1-2”) gullies of water but overall the beach is mostly dry at low water. There is a small fresh water run off around the middle of the village again, very shallow and not very wide. Also there is a stream flowing on to the beach just before the caravan park, the shape varies wildly with tide and weather, generally between 3 and 6feet across, depth varies but seldom more than 8” deep, sometimes sand washes away from this area totally, leaving small stones and rocks, still very passable though.

Will advise not to try and fly in front of the play park, no matter what wind direction there is always turbulence due to the hill and trees at the back of village.

There is another access via Torrs Warren, to Ringdoo Point, it is a long walk with kit thru forestry trails, well worth it because even in high season there is almost no-one on this part of the beach.

Flyability

Beach is Usable roughly 1.5 hours after high water and 1.5 hours before high water.

Kite surfers tend to like Easterly winds, this is full onshore from the village up to the Sandmill entrance to beach.

Buggy/board Westerly and Easterly is great, gives a great run up and down full length of the beach, Southerly, Northerly are also good, but you will find the gullies and your run shortening with the incoming tide( keep an eye, it comes in fast, shallow but damn fast.)

Recreational, just make sure its blowing.

Comfort

The shop is well stocked with eatables etc, Tigh Na Mara, I’m told the beer is very good, I know from personal experience the food is excellent, there are public toilets at the top of the green/playground.

In the holiday season you’ll need to keep watch for kids, “tourists” and the odd random dog, but there’s plenty of beach to share safely.

Out of season, well it’s usually just me and my buggy (why am I writing this, it’ll get busy. lol)

Some locals occasionally exercise their horses on the beach, in efforts to avoid disagreement I always encourage flyers to try land kite ‘til they pass, please!

Welcome to my playground, hope you enjoy.

Fly safe.

Iain