Nairn is a coastal town on the Moray Firth with fine views across to the Black Isle peninsula and a nice sandy beach. The town’s old harbour is now an active sailing club and you can often view boats arriving into the busy harbour.
When at the beach or harbour area, look out for the dolphins which live in the Firth. These are the most northerly population of bottlenose dolphins in Britain.
The town itself is split between the former ‘fishertown’ with its old fishing cottages and the later Victorian part of town with its fine houses, churches and town centre.
Nairn, The Links, Fishertown
Photo credit: “Nairn, The link Fisherstown 3-6-17” by Bas van Oorschot, CC BY 2.0
NAIRN BEACHES
Known as the 'Brighton of the North', Charlie Chaplain used to holiday here with his family. There are four sandy beaches at Nairn (Central, East, West and Whiteness) and swimming is popular. See Nairn tide times.
Nairn Beach
Photo credit: “Nairn Beach Scotland ...” by Rab Lawrence, CC BY 2.0
The highlight of Nairn is the Sands. The area was part of an estate until it was overrun by sands in 1694. It was not until the Forestry Commission planted trees in 1922 that the area was stabilised.
Today it is a great place to view wildlife and get away into the countryside. There are many walks and places to relax. It is especially good for watching birds, with the RSPB looking after the site.
It is 10 minutes' walk from the harbour to the East Beach car park, followed by half a mile of footpath to reach the reserve.
Culbin Sands
Beautiful views
This independent museum dating from 1860 is located in the Regency-era Viewfield House. It has exhibits of maritime history and farming history.
This three mile walk takes you from the Harbour along the banks of the river and back.
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Walking distances given from the train station.
The Albert Inn (0.38 miles/0.61 km)
Reviews: 4.2 on Google, 4.2 on TripAdvisor
Westerlea Hotel* (0.41 miles.0.65 km)
Reviews: 4.7 on Google, 4.7 on TripAdvisor
Aurora Hotel* (0.42 miles/0.67 km)
Reviews: 4.7 on Google, 4.4 on TripAdvisor
Havelock House Hotel* (0.55 miles/0.88 km)
Reviews: 4.4 on Google, 4.3 on TripAdvisor
The Bandstand Hotel* (0.6 miles/0.96 km)
Reviews: 4.5 on Google, 4.2 on TripAdvisor
Muthu Newton Hotel* (0.72 miles/1.15 km)
Reviews: 4.3 on Google, 4.0 on TripAdvisor
The Clubhouse Hotel* (0.82 miles/1.31 km)
Reviews: 4.3 on Google, 4.2 on TripAdvisor
West End Hotel* (0.83 miles/1.33 km)
Reviews: 3.9 on Google, 3.8 on TripAdvisor
Golf View Hotel* (0.95 miles/1.52 km)
Reviews: 4.3 on Google, 4.1 on TripAdvisor
Tali Ayer Country House* (0.12 miles/0.19 km)
Reviews: 4.7 on Google, 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Cawdor House* (0.15 miles/0.24 km)
Reviews: 4.9 on Google, 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Glen Lyon Lodge B&B (0.32 miles/0.51 km)
Reviews: 5.0 on Google, 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Argathnie B&B (0.51 miles/0.82 km)
Reviews: 4.9 on Google, 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Fonthill B&B (0.53 miles/0.85 km)
Reviews: 4.8 on Google, 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Sunny Brae B&B* (0.67 miles/1.07 km)
Reviews: 4.9 on Google, 4.9 on TripAdvisor
Washington House* (0.7 miles/1.12 km)
Reviews: 4.6 on Google, 5.0 on TripAdvisor
Invernairne Guesthouse* (0.89 miles/1.43 km)
Reviews: 4.8 on Google, 4.8 on TripAdvisor
For something a bit different, how about a holiday park with everything on site: accommodation, food, and leisure.
Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park, Parkdean Resorts (0.96 miles/1.54km)
Stays of two nights or more.
Reviews: 4.4 on Google, 4.1 on TripAdvisor
Reviews including accommodation: 4.2 on Google, 4.2 on TripAdvisor
Reviews including accommodation: 4.7 on Google, 4.7 on TripAdvisor
Italian Restaurant, Aurora Hotel
Reviews including accommodation: 4.7 on Google, 4.4 on TripAdvisor
Reviews including accommodation: 4.4 on Google, 4.3 on TripAdvisor
Reviews: 4.5 on Google including accommodation, 4.4 on TripAdvisor
Chaplin's Restaurant and Ellis Restaurant, Muthu Newton Hotel
Reviews including accommodation: 4.3 on Google, 4.0 on TripAdvisor
Reviews including accommodation: 3.9 on Google, 3.8 on TripAdvisor
Hickory Restaurant, Golf View Hotel
Reviews including accommodation: 4.3 on Google, 4.1 on TripAdvisor
Filipino and Thai cuisine
Reviews: 4.8 on Google, 5.0 on TripAdvisor
Reviews: 4.7 on Google, 4.7 on TripAdvisor
Local seafood and steak
Reviews: 4.5 on Google, 4.4 on TripAdvisor
Reviews: 4.5 on Google, 4.3 on TripAdvisor
Indian cuisine
Reviews: 4.3 on Google, 4.1 on TripAdvisor
Indian cuisine
Reviews: 4.3 on Google, 4.1 on TripAdvisor
Page last updated 25 November 2025