Holiday homes & rentals in Nairn

Situated on the east coast of Scotland, a few miles north of Inverness, Nairn is a great location for visitors looking for a base for their Scottish holiday. Take your pick of Nairn accommodation, from seafront apartments to rural cottages, and spend your days enjoying the scenery or exploring the past.

Family fun by the seaside

The beaches in this part of Scotland are among the best in the country, perfect for kids of all ages to explore. Nairn beach itself has a pleasant promenade, with great views across the Moray Firth and is even visited by dolphins from time to time.

If the family is keen on dolphin spotting, take a trip to Rosemarkie, and Chanonry Point at the southern end of the beach – thought to be the best place on mainland UK to see dolphins. Of course, you can always take a boat trip out into the Moray Firth if you want to get up close with the mammals. The closest trips run from Findhorn Bay, just along the coast.

Historical Nairn

Start your visit with a trip to the Nairn Museum, housed in the historic Viewfield House, and home to exhibits about the town and surrounding area. If you're more interested in military history, the Highlanders Museum tells the story of the famous Highland Regiments, from the Battle of Culloden to today. It is housed in the regiments' working barracks, Fort George, itself a historic 17th century building and popular visitor attraction.

Brodie Castle in nearby Forres also dates from the 17th century; the palatial home of Clan Brodie, the castle is now open to the public and houses artworks and historic furniture. Famous for its creative connection to Shakespeare's Macbeth, the 14th century Cawdor Castle boasts its own very real stories and legends, including the 13th century holly tree in the dungeon, which was undisturbed during construction.

Sample the local whiskies

Scotland is famous for its whisky, and the area around Nairn is no exception. Benromach distillery has been operating since 1898 and remains the smallest in the famous Speyside area; tour groups are often small too, giving you a great opportunity to ask your guide questions – and of course the tour finishes with a sample of their goods.

Dallas Dhu in Forres is a much larger distillery, and its fascinating tour tells you more about the history of whisky in this part of Scotland, as well as taking you through the processes involved. Should you get tired of sampling whisky, take a detour to Wester Hardmuir Fruit Farm, where you can pick your own strawberries and gooseberries during the summer, as well as buying fresh produce from the farm shop to take back to your Nairn accommodation.

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