The charming seaside town of Nairn sits on a long stretch of sandy beach on the east coast of the Scottish Highlands. The popular holiday resort has acres of golden sand and a long promenade dotted with laid-back beach bars and cafes. Nairn is also a popular golfing destination: there are two large courses here, including a traditional Scottish links course with views of the Moray Firth.

You can see evidence of the town’s roots as a fishing village in the colourful boats lining the harbour and the 19th-century stone houses of Fishertown. Look out for the Nairn Fishwife statue by the harbour, honoring the work these women did, preparing and selling smoked haddock around the town from wicker baskets strapped to their backs.

The bustling town has plenty of independent shops and cafes as well as historic buildings like the Nairn Court House with its clock tower steeple, built in 1818. For an overview of the town, get an ice cream and stroll along the harbour along the promenade and then inland to Delnies Wood, carrying on around back to the sea.

Nairn is only a 15-minute drive from Inverness Airport (INV), which offers a range of connections within the United Kingdom. Nairn is a ten-hour drive from London and nine hours by train from Kings Cross Station. Edinburgh and Glasgow are both a 3.5-hour drive, or 4.5 hours by public transport. Once you arrive at your Nairn holiday cottage, you’ll find that the town is easily traversable on foot. There are local bus services within town and connecting to nearby Scottish towns and cities. If you’d like the convenience of exploring the surrounding area at your own pace, renting a car may be your best option; they are available at the airport or in town.

Nairn has a temperate coastal climate, meaning it doesn’t get very hot in summer, and it rarely falls below freezing in winter. July is the warmest month of the year and January the coolest, but it can and will rain throughout the year here, so pack accordingly.

For some local culture, time your trip to coincide with the Highland Games in August. This event, held right in Nairn, is one of the biggest in northern Scotland and has been running since 1867. It features traditional competitions for all ages, including tossing the caber and tug-of-war alongside piping and Highland dancing. The town also hosts a jazz festival in August, with a lineup of international and local musicians.

Nairn Museum

This elegant Georgian building set amongst pretty gardens showcases Nairn’s heritage with plenty of interactive displays. You can examine the history of Fishertown here, exploring how fisherfolk lived in past centuries and how important the industry was to the area. Other displays look at farming, work and play, and famous Scottish battles.

Brodie Castle

Brodie Castle has a 500-year history to explore throughout its interior and gorgeous grounds. The castle has a 16th-century keep surrounded by the soaring turrets of the Scots Baronial-style mansion style that was popular in the 19th century. The Playful Garden is home to giant unicorn and bunny sculptures and, in spring, fields full of daffodils. Don’t miss Rodney’s Stone, the intricately carved 2-metre-high Pictish cross on the grounds that is thought to date from the 8th century.

Culbin Sands

Just east of Nairn along the coast of Moray is a specially protected area for birds, butterflies, and rare dune plants. Culbin Sands is looked after by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and this nature reserve feels remote despite being close to the town. Visit at low tide to watch oystercatchers and godwits feeding along the waterline, or at high tide to find sea ducks near the extensive sand dunes and salt marshes.