Nairn
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Nairn
The genteel seaside resort of Nairn claims the driest and sunniest climate in the whole of Scotland. This alone should be reason enough to pay a visit, but there are other attractions besides the sunshine. There are miles of sandy beach stretching east to the Culbin Forest, a championship golf course (which hosted the 1999 Walker Cup), and two of the best castles in the country are within easy reach - Cawdor Castle and Brodie Castle.
Getting there
There are regular daily buses from Inverness (30 mins) with Highland Country Buses and Bluebird. Nairn is on the Inverness- Aberdeen rail line, and there are several trains daily from Inverness (20 mins). The Tourist Information Centre is at 62 King St, Tel. 452753. Open Easter-May and September-October Monday-Saturday 1000-1700; June-August daily 0900-1800.
Nairn History
Nairn began life as an important commercial centre in the 12th century, and by the early 17th century had grown to such an extent that King James VI was able to boast of a town in his northern kingdom so large that people at one end of the High Street didn't understand the language spoken by those at the other end (the different languages being English and Gaelic). The town was a major fishing port in the 19th century and the tiny houses of the Old Fishertown, huddled together around the harbour, are very different from the town centre, which is known as New Fishertown. Both lie apart from the substantial villas and hotels of the seaside resort that developed with the arrival of the Highland Railway in the mid-19th century.
Today Nairn is still a tourist favourite, with its seafront full of people munching chips and ice cream. There are banks with ATMs in the High Street, a post office on Cawdor Street, a swimming pool on Marine Road, and cinema on King Street. The town hosts its annual Highland Games in August.
Self Catering Cottages in Nairn
- Hermitage Lodge Sleeps 4
- Annfield Sleeps 5 - 6