Steve Clarke’s side face five-time world champions Brazil in Miami as they look to seal a place in the knockouts
Scotland are looking to seal their place in the knockout stages of the World Cup, and their final group match could hardly be tougher as they face five-time champions Brazil in Miami.
Advertisement
Steve Clarke’s side kicked off their first World Cup campaign in 28 years with a 1-0 win over Haiti in the opening round, but they were then beaten by the same scoreline against Morocco. They currently sit in third position in Group C with three points, just behind the Brazilians and Moroccans, who are first and second respectively with four points.
With this summer’s competition expanding to 48 sides, a whopping 32 teams will make it through to the knockout stages, meaning it is in fact more difficult to be eliminated than qualify.
While the top two teams in each group go through automatically, eight of the 12 third-placed teams at the end of the group stage will also go through to the round of 32, with Scotland currently in a strong position to do just that.
A first-ever win against Brazil on Wednesday night would see Clarke’s side finish in the top two in their group and go through automatically, while a draw would also all but seal their place in the knockout rounds.
Advertisement
Even a defeat would not mean that Scotland’s World Cup journey was necessarily over, as they currently have the second-best record out of the teams currently in third place. With three points after two games and a goal difference of zero, they are level with Sweden, who top the third-place table.
But while they are sitting comfortably for now, a heavy defeat against Brazil could dramatically change the story for Scotland, as their goal difference would take a sizeable hit.
As the BBC reports, Opta statistics show that while a team finishing third with a goal difference of zero has a 95% chance of progressing to the knockout stage, this drops to 84% for a difference of -1, to 63% for -2, 42% for -3 and 27% for -4.
Advertisement
If they lose, Scotland are set to face an anxious wait for the rest of the week, as they may not have their place in the knockout stages confirmed until Sunday morning, when the final round of group stage matches are set to be played.
To put them at a further disadvantage, the third-placed teams playing later in the week will have a clearer picture of what results they need to qualify, and as a result may look to play for a draw or ‘park the bus’ in order to defend their goal difference.
In summary, if Scotland lose, they will need as many groups as possible to end with two teams finishing on fewer than three points. Here is a breakdown of the results the Tartan Army need to be mindful of over the next week.
Group A – For Scotland, the best case scenario in this group would be for Mexico to beat the Czech Republic and for South Korea to defeat South Africa, as that would leave the team in third on one point. However, the worst case scenario would be wins for South Africa and the Czech Republic, as the team in third would then be on four points.
Advertisement
Group B – Wednesday night’s clash between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar could have an impact on Scotland’s knockout hopes, as a draw would leave the third-placed team in their group on no more than two points. However, a win either way would see the third-placed team on four points.
Group D – With Turkey already out, either Australia or Paraguay will finish in third. The two sides meet in their final game, and a win for either team would mean the side finishing third would do so on three points. However, a draw would leave the third-placed side on four points.
Group E – Ecuador and Curacao currently sit in third and fourth respectively with one point apiece. They will take on Germany and Ivory Coast respectively in their final games, and Scotland will be hoping for them both to lose. However, if they can spring a couple of surprises, the group may end with the third-placed team on four points.
Group F – A heavy defeat for Sweden against second-placed Japan could see Scotland move to the top of the third-placed table – but a point for Sweden would leave the third-placed side in the group on at least four points.
Advertisement
Group G – All Scottish eyes will be on the showdown between Egypt and Iran, with an Egyptian win set to guarantee that the team finishing third in the group will do so with fewer than three points.
Group H – A Spanish win against Uruguay would ensure that the team in third could only finish on a maximum of two points.
Group I – The most favourable result as far as Scotland are concerned would be a draw between Senegal and Iran, which would see the team in third finish on just one point.
Group J – With Austria and Algeria currently sitting in second and third respectively on three points, the best case scenario for Scotland would be a heavy victory for one of those teams when they meet each other in their final group game. The worst case scenario would be a draw in that game, as it would mean the third-placed team would finish on four points.
Advertisement
Group K – Uzbekistan and DR Congo will meet in their final group game, and Scotland will want to avoid a win for the latter, as that would put them third on four points. A win for Uzbekistan, however, would be ideal for Clarke’s side, as it would see them finish third on three points but likely with a poor goal difference, which currently sits at -7.
Group L – The best case scenario for Scotland would be for Ghana to record a big win against Croatia and for Panama to fail to beat England, as this would ensure the third-placed team finishing on three points with a poor goal difference. However, if Croatia are able to gain a point or more against Ghana, the third-placed finisher would do so on four points.
Former England youth basketball player Kwame Yeboah groomed his victim after meeting on a video chatroom.
Berk Uyal and Ewan Mowat Deputy Lifestyle, Trends, & Showbiz Editor
22:42, 24 Jun 2026
A pilot and former sporting prodigy groomed a 12-year-old girl before driving hundreds of miles to rape her. Kwame Yeboah met the schoolgirl on video chat website Omegle before exchanging explicit messages, photographs and video calls on Instagram.
Liverpool Crown Court heard the 30-year-old British Airways pilot travelled from Reading to the Wirral, Merseyside, after around three months of communication with the youngster online.
The court heard the girl’s mum contacted Merseyside Police after learning from one of her daughter’s friends that she had been speaking to a man online and had later had sex with him, The Mirror reports.
Advertisement
Prosecutor Louise McCloskey said the mum was told the man drove a black Mercedes and had put his number in the girl’s phone under a false name to avoid suspicion.
The youngster was “initially dismissive” when speaking to cops. She told her mum, in the presence of police: “I don’t know why you had to tell the police. It’s not like I’ve been raped or anything.”
The court heard that, after being told she may need emergency contraception if sexual activity had taken place, she replied: “No, I’m not getting it. I’ll keep the baby.”
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the World Cup. Click HERE.
Advertisement
The beast booked a hotel room in the Merseyside area before the girl escaped her home by climbing out of a window and met him in his black Mercedes.
Although the victim initially told Yeboah she was 17, the court heard she later sent him photographs of herself in school uniform and referred to being grounded during their conversations.
When she said she could not meet him, Yeboah sent messages including: “I can’t do this no more, because you’re not meeting me. I can’t call because it makes me sad, because I can’t see you.”
The court heard Yeboah drove the girl around before asking to “go to a car park and do stuff”, telling her he was “horny”. After stopping the vehicle, he sexually assaulted and raped her.
When another car pulled up nearby, Yeboah drove to a second location where he instructed the youngster to perform a sex act before raping her again. Yeboah later messaged the girl after becoming concerned she might obtain the morning-after pill.
He told her: “You lied to me. They would have asked you a bunch of questions before they gave it to you.” She replied: “I just don’t want you to be mad at me. I love you. I wouldn’t lie to you. Don’t text for a bit, social services are at my house.”
Judge Gary Woodhall said there had been “clearly some grooming behaviour” and found that Yeboah had sought to “manipulate or emotionally blackmail” the girl.
Advertisement
Sentencing him, the judge said: “You had to travel from Reading. You booked a hotel room for the two of you. You agreed to collect her in your car. She had to sneak out of her home to meet you.”
Yeboah, of Drake Way, Reading, admitted three counts of rape of a child under 13 and assault of a child under 13 by penetration. He was jailed for eight years and four months and handed an additional year on licence.
The court heard the abuse had left the victim struggling with confidence, sleep and concentration at school. Yeboah was also handed a restraining order banning him from contacting the girl for 15 years and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The Dong people in China are an Indigenous ethnic group who are known to have lived in the mountainous regions of southwestern China for about 600 years. They don’t have a written language – instead their cultural knowledge is shared by word of mouth. This means that the outside world doesn’t know much about them.
There are an estimated 3 million Dong people living in the provinces of Guizhou, Hunan and Guangxi. They are renowned for their polyphonic choral singing, which has been inscribed by Unesco since 2009 as an example of world-class intangible cultural heritage. Their architecture, landscape and refined agricultural terracing are also distinctive, but less well known and never digitally recorded.
Dong buildings and settlements are typically hidden in fir forests with direct access to waterways at the bottom of valleys or halfway up hills. A Dong settlement typically has around 200 households of four to five people – although some larger villages can have as many as 500 households.
Advertisement
These villages tend to have a gatehouse marking their boundary, defining their territory in relation to neighbouring settlements. Many feature a distinctive “wind-and-rain bridge” – a mix of village gate and covered bridge – used for communal gatherings and blocking ceremonies. Ponds, wells, and granaries are scattered throughout the landscape.
At the heart of most villages, surrounded by wooden houses of two or three storeys, there is a “drum tower” and a “Sa-Sui shrine”. The former represents the connection of the people’s sacred belief of clan kinship and fir trees, while the latter represents the centre of the Dong’s worship of the “Sa” or grandmother. They are the most important buildings in a village – for security, social and spiritual reasons.
External view of the drum tower of Zeng Chong village. Xiang Ren, Author provided (no reuse)
Culture at risk
Nowadays, the Dong’s built and cultural heritage are increasingly at risk. This is due to a combination of climate change, natural disasters, urban infrastructure development and the expansion of rural tourism.
A warming climate is increasingly triggering wild fires and causing mountain flooding. We are also seeing the encroachment of urbanism into the Dong’s rural settings. While bringing improvements in the quality of life, this often presents domestic fire hazards due to poor-quality electrical infrastructure. And in recent years, the growth of tourism and the encroachment of roads, railways and bridges is in danger of turning these villages into decorated stage-sets. This may bring in money, but threatens the Dong people’s unique architecture and landscape.
Advertisement
It’s a pressing challenge for this Indigenous people and for those of us dedicated to preserving their historic environment, their culture and their highly ritualised way of life.
Tragically, the scarcity of resources means that schemes for repair, restoration and regeneration works, as well as insufficient conservation policies and frameworks, have been slow to help preserve these precious villages. The far remote mountainous environment does not help. Both the local communities and government authorities have extremely limited resources to manage almost any change to their historic environment.
Despite the remote location of many of these villages, they are now being encroached upon by modern development. We’re seeing the growth of contemporary housing developments using modern structures and materials. It’s part of the rapid urbanisation of China over the past few decades – but, like elsewhere, it’s irreversibly changing the image and identity of the Dong settlements and their architecture.
Modern infrastructure is irreversibly changing the context and historic fabric surrounding the drum tower of Ju Dong village. XIan Ren, Author provided (no reuse)
The problem of modern tourist development can be seen in the way traditional-style drum towers are being built as theme park attractions. At the Danzhai Wanda Village, a newly developed theme park near Kaili in Guizhou, the nearest city to the Dong’s Indigenous areas, there are five newly built drum towers, billed as “iconic”, which are presented as standalone monuments with no sense of their relationship with the surrounding houses and forests.
The Dong drum tower as a distinctive building type is also at risk to be developed completely as a tourism object and commodity. XIang Ren, Author provided (no reuse)
Decoding Dong built heritage
The need to document and protect authentic Indigenous Dong culture is what has driven the Decoding Dong project.
This was launched in 2023 and completed in 2025 and set to digitally document Dong physical and cultural heritage.
Advertisement
This interdisciplinary project draws on humanities and social science disciplines ranging from architecture, anthropology, heritage sciences, sociology and digital humanities.
It put together a series of innovative and complementary research methods. This has involved 3D LiDAR scanning, aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry (the science of applying mathematics to photographs to extract accurate 3D measurements), 3D reality capture modelling, measured drawing, documentary film making and mapping. This has been complemented with oral histories from provided by Dong people.
The project has completed a first-of-its-kind digital documentation of the Dong architectural heritage, building digital and audio-visual documentaries of around 100 historic buildings across a dozen remote Dong villages.
Advertisement
Exported and justified cross-sectional axonometric drawing showing wooden tectonics of the Zeng Ying drum tower. Xiang Ren, Author provided (no reuse)
A key part of the research process was to consult with key stakeholders, including clan leaders, elderly villagers and provincial policymakers wherever possible.
Indigenous Dong heritage is still under threat, due to the scarcity of resources faced by both the local authority and the communities themselves.
But this project represents a step change. By building a mutually beneficial store of information, supported by cutting-edge digital technologies, we hope to draw more attention to this distinctive people without threatening what it is that makes them unique.
A Met Office forecaster said large parts of England will get cooler on Saturday, but this may not be the case in Cambridgeshire
21:44, 24 Jun 2026Updated 21:44, 24 Jun 2026
Cambridgeshire won’t see a let up in the extreme heat this weekend, the Met Office has warned, even as other parts of the country start to cool.
A “big change is on the way” across large parts of England, with cooler, more changeable weather pushing in from the Atlantic by Sunday.
But not all parts of the country will see instant respite, with Cambridgeshire among the areas where temperatures are set to remain above 30C.
Advertisement
Forecasters warn eastern parts of England are set to hang on to higher temperatures for longer than elsewhere, reports the Mirror.
Met Office meteorologist Aiden McGivern said on the forecaster’s Youtube channel that conditions will shift as “low pressure systems in from the Atlantic, bring back a return to cooler weather, but also much more changeable weather through the weekend and into next week.”
Saturday
While the change is expected to reach “virtually all parts” of the UK by Sunday, Saturday is forecast to bring a sharper split, with some areas feeling cooler sooner than others.
Forecaster Aiden McGivern said: “As we go into Saturday, it’s still a very warm start to the day across eastern and southeastern parts of the country. Feeling fresher further west.”
Advertisement
He added the wind direction will make the difference for many and said: “That breeze coming in from the southwest will certainly make it feel a little fresher in the north and west on Saturday compared with further east because actually in the east it is another hot day.”
Temperatures in the east could still be notably high for the time of year. The latest forecast shows temperatures temperatures will still widely exceed 30C, with peaks of up to 34C Celsius in London or East Anglia.
Sunday
By Sunday, the cooler air is expected to spread more widely. The Met Office forecaster said: “Sunday is the day that the cooler and more changeable weather spreads to virtually all parts.”
Despite the drop in temperature, this will still be a decent summer day for most.
Advertisement
“It will actually be a fine summer’s day for many parts of England and Wales even if we’ve lost the heat and humidity,” he said.
Temperatures are expected to drop to 27C in the southeast and then high teens low 20s for Scotland, Northern Ireland, Northern England, Wales and the West of England.
And while many areas should feel more comfortable, McGivern cautioned the warmth won’t disappear everywhere at once, with “that heat clinging on for the longest in the east of England.”
But UK-based audiences are also flocking to 2004’s The Football Factory – particularly timely given the current focus on the FIFA World Cup.
Advertisement
Helmed by director Nick Love, the film currently holds the Number 9 spot on the trending list. It centres on Tommy Johnson (portrayed by Danny Dyer), a dedicated Chelsea football hooligan.
Tommy and his mates fill their time drinking, pursuing women, taking drugs and “occasionally kicking the f*** out of someone”.
However, the football enthusiast must reassess his violent ways after one of his match-related brawls results in grave repercussions, reports the Mirror.
Advertisement
Based on John King’s 1997 novel, the narrative explores significant themes including young men’s desire for community, alongside their dissatisfaction with unjust socio-economic structures. It also provides perspective on escapism via substance and alcohol misuse.
While Dyer fronts this production, he shares the screen with other familiar faces. One particularly notable co-star is Tamer Hassan, whom Love Island enthusiasts will recognise as recent All Stars contestant Belle Hassan’s father.
He portrays Fred, a Milwall hooligan and bitter rival of the Chelsea supporters. Fans have been singing the praises of this noughties drama for years.
“One of the best football films,” declared one Rotten Tomatoes user.
Another enthusiastic viewer gushed: “10/10 – Brilliant film! Easily in my top 5 favourite movies. A must see for football fans.”
A further reviewer enthused: “One of the best English films you will ever see for sure, got everything in it! now this is funny and gripping!”.
One film aficionado shared their thoughts on IMDb: “It’s top drawer entertainment and better than most of the garbage that fills your DVD store. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes realistic and gritty films, and doesn’t mind occasional stomach turning violence.”
Advertisement
And one final cinemagoer was adamant: “I can honestly say this is by far the best British film I’ve ever seen.”
During the most recent episode (June 24) of the beloved BBC show, experts Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch were introduced to Steph Taylor and her daughter Alison. The lifelong football fans sought help in restoring a soft toy of the 1966 England World Cup mascot, World Cup Willie, which was in a “rather sorry state”.
Steph revealed that she purchased the toy at the first match she attended that year. Having secured tickets to every fixture at Wembley Stadium, including the final, Steph carried Willie along in her pocket.
Advertisement
The guest described how she also attended the matches with her future husband, Chris, with their relationship flourishing throughout the tournament. The pair married that same year, before welcoming their daughter eight months afterwards.
Tragically, disaster struck when Chris passed away from an asthma attack just nine months after Alison was born, reports the Mirror.
“That makes Willie much more significant,” Julie observed, before Alison stated: “Because they weren’t together very long, he’s the only thing that I have that connects mum and dad. So, it’s quite special to me as well.”
Advertisement
Julie and Amanda swiftly began work attempting to restore the “very important” toy to its original condition. Nevertheless, Amanda was visibly anxious.
“He looks extremely fragile, doesn’t he? I’m quite concerned about his face,” she remarked, before adding: “This little guy’s face is absolutely terrifying. The damp has left him with these two ugly holes. I’ve got to make him look good again.”
The expert attempted to thread a fresh piece of material beneath the toy’s deteriorating face, proceeding with great care. She explained: “I’m holding my breath here because the worst thing that could happen is his face disintegrates on me, and then I would have to replace the whole face.
“Oh, it’s a scary one! I think this is actually scarier than taking a penalty in the World Cup final. [I’m] absolutely terrified. But we can do this.”
Advertisement
Julie and Amanda triumphantly restored World Cup Willie, leaving both Steph and Alison lost for words upon being reunited with their treasured possession.
“Oh my goodness, that’s amazing!” exclaimed Alison, while her mother observed: “I don’t know if he’s ever looked that good!”
A visibly moved Steph added: “[I’m] quite filled up about it all, really. Yeah.”
Advertisement
Alison went on to say: “He’s quite special because he’s a link to my mum and my dad. He’s the only thing that really connects them,” before Steph concluded: “He’s a very important lion.”
The Repair Shop is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
It includes reducing bureaucracy for farmers and reworking the controversial sustainable farming scheme
Wales’ new minister in charge of farming and the environment, Llyr Gruffydd, has spelt out his priorities in his first speech to the Senedd since being appointed by Rhun ap Iorwerth.
Advertisement
The minister for rural resilience and sustainability opened his speech saying he would start with explaining his plans for climate and nature. “I’d like to start with our commitment to take action on climate and nature, not only because of its environmental importance, which is clear to all, but also because of its central importance to the future prosperity, health and resilience of Wales in the future. Clean air, clean water, healthy soils and thriving ecosystems are not optional extras.
“They support public health, they protect communities and create the conditions for Wales to develop sustainably.”
There was plenty more we learnt too about his plans in government:
1. Net Zero by 2040
He told the Senedd that work has already started on an “ambitious climate and nature action plan”, focused on a practical pathway to net zero by 2040 and substantive nature recovery by 2050, “shaped by the realities people and communities are facing across Wales”.
Advertisement
The UK government has a target of reaching net zero by 2050 while the Welsh Labour government had a target for the public sector to reach Net Zero by 2030 and Wales generally by 2035 as part of the Co-operation Agreement with Labour. Rhun ap Iorwerth had admitted during the campaign that that timescale wasn’t realistic.
2. A new regulator for water
He said: “We’re also committed to driving forward water reform, including plans for a new Welsh economic water regulator with the powers needed to drive investment, to reduce pollution and to deliver long-term improvements.”
That was something in their manifesto too.
3. New flooding group
He said in the first 100 days of the government – which ends at the end of August – they will outline the terms of reference for a new flood resilience and preparedness forum.
Advertisement
“Flooding is already, as we know, affecting homes, businesses and communities as part of a wider pattern of climate pressures, from more intense rainfall and storms to drought, heat and pressures on water, land and infrastructure. We need a joined-up approach to preparedness and improved long-term resilience.
“This includes catchment-scale and nature-based solutions that reduce risk, that protect communities, support nature recovery and help Wales adapt to the climate impacts that we’re already experiencing,” he said.
4. Funding to restore coal tips
The minister said they will continue to argue Wales should get extra funding from the UK Government to restore coal tips in Wales, something the former Labour administration had argued too.
“We’ll also continue to press the UK Government on environmental justice for coalfield communities, including the funding needed to restore coal tips and contaminated land. Communities living with the legacy of Wales’s industrial past should not be left to carry that risk alone. We will take a long-term, co-ordinated approach to secure these sites, safeguard communities and, of course, unlock their future potential,” said Mr Gruffydd.
Advertisement
5. Changing the Sustainable Farming Scheme
This scheme, the source of so much worry to farmers and the cause of a huge Senedd protest in the last term, will, he said, be “refined”.
He said he always wants to ensure “a multi-annual budget for the sustainable farming scheme” to give certainty.
6. New TB programme
Mr Gruffydd said: “Bovine TB, as we all know, remains one of the most significant and persistent challenges facing agriculture in Wales.
Advertisement
“We will refresh the TB eradication programme, building on strong foundations, but recognising that a step change is needed to meet our ambition of a TB-free Wales by 2041. Building on Wales’s already strong record on animal welfare, we will also bring forward a new animal health and welfare plan, including new regulations for animal welfare establishments.”
7. Reduced bureaucracy
Mr Gruffydd said that he has ordered a review by his Plaid Cymru colleague John Davies into excess bureaucracy which impacts the time farmers can spend on the farm. “I want to decrease the bureaucratic burden on family farms, making a real difference to the time that is spent on complicated and duplicated processes—time that could otherwise be spent managing stock, improving productivity or, of course, planning for the future.”
8. New food strategy
he said that he will be championing Welsh fisheries, strengthening the system that brings food to people across Wales via a new national food strategy for Wales, safeguarding food supply chains, improving food literacy, strengthening supply chains and supporting our food and drink industry to grow, building a reputation for high-quality, sustainably produced food.
Like Jalen Brunson, the guy marching through Manhattan with the Larry O’Brien Trophy in his arms last week during a joyous parade celebration. And Willis Reed, the guy who limped into Game 7 of the NBA Finals to lift the Knicks to their first championship.
So when the NBA draft resumes Wednesday night with the Knicks on the clock, every team will have hope of finding someone who can be a key piece of a title team.
The Knicks hold the No. 31 pick that was acquired via trades when teams and some players return to Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The first round, which began with Washington selecting AJ Dybantsa, finished late Tuesday night.
Advertisement
In a much different NBA with a different draft format, Reed was the No. 8 pick in the 1964 draft, which made him the first pick of the second round. The Hall of Famer went on to lead the Knicks to championships in 1970 and 1973 and was the NBA Finals MVP both times.
Brunson was the No. 33 pick in the 2018 draft, taken early in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks signed him as a free agent in 2022 and the franchise was on the rise ever since, culminating with their five-game victory over the San Antonio Spurs earlier this month when Brunson was MVP of the series.
Life’s better on the Llŷn with its picturesque beaches to explore, from family and dog-friendly coves to surfing hotspots
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Advertisement
Who needs to go abroad when we have plenty of lovely places in Wales to soak up the glorious sunshine? One of my favourite spots is a popular peninsula that is loved by celebs like Bradley Cooper, Coleen Rooney, and Molly Mae.
The Llŷn Peninsula, or Pen Llŷn, is located in northwest Wales and is packed with natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and sandy beaches.
It’s home to lots of coastal hotspots like Abersoch, where various celebrities have holidayed, including Molly Mae, who shared some special moments from her trip there.
Staying in a beach house on the seafront, she and a friend, plus her daughter Bambi, had their own steps down to the sand and views straight out over the dreamy coastal landscape, which she described as “gorgeous.”
It’s easy to see why this scenic corner of Wales is a magnet for the rich and famous, surrounded by the sparkling, clear waters of the Irish Sea on one side and Cardigan Bay on the other. This area of Wales is a perfect alternative for a holiday abroad, where you’ll find plenty of activities, cafes and pubs.
There are Iron Age fort remains and islands to discover, sweeping stretches of sandy beaches, and plenty of cute coastal villages and historic sites to visit.
Advertisement
If you’re planning a trip, here are some of the best things to do in the Llŷn Peninsula and follow me on TikTok for more destination guides and travel advice.
Discover sandy beaches and coves
The peninsula is home to some of Wales’ most picturesque beaches. There is a range of sandy beaches to explore, from family and dog-friendly coves to surfing hotspots.
Llanbedrog beach, which stretches for over a mile, is now owned by the National Trust, while Porth Neigwl beach, also known as Hell’s Mouth, is very popular with surfers and water sports fans.
Advertisement
Traeth Porthor has a special feature, which is why it is known by another, more commonly used name: ‘Whistling Sands’. It is popular with so-called “sound tourists” for the unusual ‘whistling noise’ the granules make underfoot when you walk over them.
There are only two European beaches where you can experience this off-beat phenomenon and listen to the rolling waves and squeaking sand.
It’s not really a whistle, North Wales Live reports, unless perhaps the sound carries on the wind. It’s more like a squeak, like cleaning a drying window.
No one is quite sure why Porthor’s sands make their distinctive noise. The prevailing theory seems to be that the sand has to have certain features. They must be spherical, with no sharp edges, and contain quartz and silica.
The sand must also have just the right humidity level for the best results. Aside from squeaky sand, Porthor is the perfect place for swimming, a coastal stroll or a picnic. For our guide to the best beaches in Wales, go here.
Known as the ‘Welsh Riviera,’ Abersoch, on the southern part of the Llŷn, is widely known for its sandy beaches, internationally recognised sailing waters, and a small high street filled with trendy bars, restaurants, big brands, and independent shops.
This coastal bolthole is also renowned for its water sports, especially paddleboarding. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of resident dolphins slicing through the clear waters.
Advertisement
The sheltered bay provides ideal conditions for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders, and the village hosts several events and competitions throughout the year, attracting enthusiasts from across the UK.
You can book a SUP session at Abersoch Watersports, where expert instructors will guide you around the beautiful coastline, pointing out marine life and coastal features.
New to paddleboarding? You can dive into the #SUP life and learn to paddleboard with their ISA-qualified instructors using the top-of-the-range Red Paddle Co paddleboards.
Advertisement
You’ll be coached in the bay and learn correct paddle techniques to build confidence and develop your SUP skills so you can get out of the water and start looking for dolphins.
One of the town’s other main draws is the large sandy beach, which the AA previously named one of the ‘best seaside destinations’.
The AA described Abersoch Beach as a picturesque Welsh location. “The top place goes to this sandy beach, which is dog-friendly and also manned by lifeguards.
“There are two nearby tourist attractions: the Porth y Swnt Interpretation Centre and Nant Gwrtheyrn, which is home to the National Welsh Language and Heritage Centre.”
Advertisement
Nearby is Harbour Beach, a strip of sand on the River Soch between the harbour and Warren Beach. If you fancy a bit of a challenge, Porth Ceiriad is a secluded beach that can be tricky to find.
Have a drink at one of the best beach bars in the world
One of Wales’s most famous seaside pubs, Ty Coch Inn, is located in Porthdinllaen, a tiny village on the peninsula’s northern coast.
Voted one of the best beach bars in the world, it sits right on the sand with sweeping views of the Irish Sea and is one of the most incredible places for a pint in Wales.
Advertisement
Accessible only by foot, this historic pub offers glorious views of the turbulent Irish Sea and serves a decent range of local ales, making it a must-visit seaside spot.
Owner Stuart Webley attributes the pub’s success to “location, location, location” and “a slightly eccentric landlord.”
Stuart also says the “good food, good beer, beachside location, friendly staff and friendly locals” are all part of the establishment’s success.
You can park at the chargeable National Trust car park at the bottom of Lon Golff, or at the Morfa Nefyn Golf Club car park.
Advertisement
Go surfing in Aberdaron
For surfers looking for breaks in north Wales, Aberdaron is a brilliant surfing spot on the Llŷn Peninsula.
The village of Aberdaron itself has an excellent pasty shop, a newsagent, a pub, and a couple of lovely places to eat.
If you want peace and quiet, Aberdaron is a great shout, mainly because it is located deep in the peninsula and is not the most accessible place in the world.
Advertisement
The little beach doesn’t have the biggest waves in Wales, and more seasoned surfers will prefer Hell’s Mouth, which is only a few minutes away. However, the little waves are enough for beginners to get started.
The waves can suit all standards when the swell is bigger, and the wind isn’t so harsh.
It can be slightly bleak when the sun isn’t shining, and a harsh wind can sometimes blow across the peninsula. When the wind drops, explore the hills and countryside around Aberdaron and Uwchmynydd.
Walk the Wales Coast Path
Traverse the rugged coastlines of Wales on the arresting Wales Coast Path. This long-distance footpath passes through blue-flag beaches, nature reserves, fishing towns, and secluded bays, offering hikers sweeping coastline views.
The Wales Coast Path connects some of the beautiful, sandy beaches of the Llŷn Peninsula, and there’s a superb selection of coastal walks that can easily be completed in a day.
Sometimes called the ‘Land’s End of Wales’, this quiet part of Wales embodies everything that makes the Wales Coast Path so enticing for hikers. The coastal walks traverse undeveloped and unspoiled landscapes rich in history, Welsh culture and wildlife.
Over 180 kilometres of remote coastal walking on the Llŷn Peninsula can be broken down into nine easy day walks. Some routes include Aberdaron to Hell’s Mouth, Criccieth to Porthmadog and Porth Colmon to Aberdaron.
Advertisement
Walking sections of the path is an exciting way to explore the coves, marinas, beaches and towns of Wales whilst having a low environmental impact on our beguiling landscapes.
Plenty of hidden coves and bays can also be accessed on the coast, where you can enjoy a glorious sunset.
Visit Criccieth Castle and Harlech Castle
On the peninsula’s southern coast, the magical ruin of Criccieth Castle perches atop a rocky headland overlooking the village and beach. This spectacular coastal castle was built and destroyed by powerful Welsh princes and is a poignant reminder of Wales’s complex and turbulent history.
Advertisement
Today, its dramatic ruins continue to attract visitors, offering a glimpse into the medieval conflicts that shaped the region.
Wander further south down the coast, and Harlech Castle is waiting to impress you. This handsome castle has arguably one of the most dramatic settings, crowning a rocky crag with a sheer drop down to the flat plains below.
Designated a World Heritage Site, Harlech Castle has experienced many sieges and battles and was once the centre of power of Owain Glyndwr, Prince of Wales.
Once you’ve done that, there are many intriguing ancient sites to visit in the region, but maybe one of the most popular is Tre’r Ceiri hill fort near Trefor on the northern coast.
Advertisement
The fort is one of Britain’s best and most complete Iron Age hill forts. The remains of gateways, ramparts, and roundhouses can still be seen.
Discover Celtic Heritage on Ynys Enlli
The history and Heritage of Llŷn are deeply intertwined with its landscape. This beautiful area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of Neolithic tombs, Iron Age hill forts, and early Christian sites scattered across the peninsula.
The region was also an important centre for the spread of Christianity in Wales, with numerous early medieval churches and monastic sites, such as Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli), a place of pilgrimage for centuries.
Advertisement
Found two miles off the Llŷn Peninsula in northwest Wales, Enlli can only be reached by organised boat trips.
Ynys Enlli’s history stretches back thousands of years, and it is known as the “Island of 20,000 Saints” due to the purported number of saints buried there.
Archaeological evidence shows that humans have inhabited the island for at least 4,000 years. In the 6th century, the island became a focal point for the Celtic Christian Church when St. Cadfan founded a monastery there.
The island’s remote and off-grid lifestyle only adds to its allure. It has no modern amenities such as Wi-Fi or regular electricity, and cold, fresh water is drawn directly from wells. The Bardsey Island Trust, established in 1977, now manages the island, focusing on conservation and promoting its historical and natural significance.
Advertisement
Spend a day at dreamy Portmeirion
Built into the cliffs south of Porthmadog and with its own private peninsula on the stunning southern shoreline of Eryri (Snowdonia), the Italianate-style tourist village of Portmeirion really is a thing of beauty.
Anyone who has ever visited the quirky coastal village of Portmeirion, or even just seen the striking pictures of its distinctive architecture, sea views, and colourful buildings, will probably not be surprised to learn that travel publisher Lonely Planet previously named it a must-visit place.
You might recognise this distinctive village from the popular, cult classic 1960s television programme The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan, as Portmeirion was used extensively as the location backdrop for the 17-episode series.
Advertisement
Alongside its unique architectural heritage, the private, ticketed site features two swanky hotels, self-catering cottages, an indulgent spa, gift shops, cafés, restaurants and an authentic Italian-style gelateria. You can read my review here.
Fairgoers are set to enjoy some exciting rides, games, stalls, food, and drink as a renowned fair returns
A famous Cambridge fair is set to return for its 813th year. The renowned Midsummer Fair will be returning to Midsummer Common this week from the evening of Wednesday, June 24, until Sunday, June 28.
Advertisement
The fair, now in its 813th year, is one of the largest gatherings in the Travelling Communities’ calendar, according to Cambridge City Council. Attendees can enjoy some thrilling fairground rides, games, stalls, food, drink, and more.
Organised by the Showmen’s Guild, this year’s fair will take place from around 6pm. A party including the Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Maria Cleminson, will form a procession to the fair from Wesley Methodist Church, ahead of the traditional distribution of coins to children.
It is forecast to be a very hot and sunny few days, so fairgoers have been advised by the city council to wear sun protection, drink plenty of fluids, and keep to shaded areas when possible.
The council is encouraging visitors and residents to plan their trips in and around the city during the fair, using public transport where possible, especially across the weekend when it is expected to be at its busiest. It said that large events like the Midsummer Fair can make the city “busier than usual”.
At the corporate committee, Castlereagh South Alliance councillor Jamie Harpur said:”I want to be very clear from the outset, this is not about being anti-American. It is important we say that plainly.
“This proposal in front of us is not about trade, investment, or cultural exchange.
“It is about marking the independence of another country through the illumination of a council building and that raises serious issues, both in terms of policy and precedent.
A letter from Communities Minister Gordon Lyons (DUP) before the chamber invited the council to light up one of its prominent civic centres marking the American celebrations “helping to showcase Northern Ireland as globally connected and forward-looking”.
However, the chamber heard that colours to support the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence had not been provided in line with illumination policy.
The request for the light up had also been made after the council applications for civic centre illuminations closed in October 2025.
Councillor Harpur added:”If we approve illuminating a civic building to mark the independence of one country, we open the door to many others.
Advertisement
“This proposal is being framed as a simple civic gesture, but it does not exist in a vacuum.
“There is a clear attempt here by some to align themselves politically with the current US administration.
“And that is an administration whose actions have had real-world consequences, impacting global stability, driving up costs, and undermining international norms.
“Those consequences are felt here too, including pressures on businesses and households.
Advertisement
“So let’s not pretend this is entirely neutral.”
In 2022, the council declined to light up Lagan Valley Island civic centre for Irish language campaigners and in support war torn Ukraine due to council criteria and policy.
Other recent light up concerns were seen in 2024, when the council’s new illumination policy was criticised for not including the July Twelfth celebrations despite St Patrick’s Day being listed as an annual light up.
Advertisement
Downshire West DUP Alderman Allan Ewart said: “This is a one off, a 250th anniversary doesn’t happen every year.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login