Nairn is a relaxing and friendly seaside town on the Moray firth.
With its beautiful beaches, award-winning bars and restaurants and two Championship Golf Courses, Nairn is the perfect base for exploring the Scottish Highlands.
Things To Do
Discover historic battlefields, heritage attractions and fun family days out right on your doorstep. Whether travelling solo or with the family, there’s no better place to stay.
Food & Drink
Nairn boasts some of the best pubs, bars and restaurants in Scotland. From award-winning fine dining to delicious fish and chips – whatever your taste, you’re in for a treat.
Places to Stay
Luxurious spa hotels, boutique BnBs, compact eco-pods, family-friendly campsites – and everything in between. Wherever you stay, you’ll find a home from home in Nairn.
Events Calendar
Highland Games? Check. Beer festival? Check. Classic car show? Check. Plan your visit around Nairn’s calendar of annual events.
Nairn: the REAL home of golf…
The Moray coast is renowned for its Links golf. And with two award-winning Championship courses in Nairn Dunbar Golf Links and Nairn Golf Club – and Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch a short drive away – for great golf, there’s no place like Nairn.
What's New?
Picture-Perfect Nairn: A Photographer’s Guide
The lovely coastal town of Nairn is blessed with light, landscape, and history—a true haven for photographers. From sweeping Moray Firth views to tranquil riverside paths, here’s where you can capture Nairn’s best angles.
Nairn Beach
The undisputed star is Nairn Beach. The vast, flowing white sands, especially the stretch known as East Beach, offer endless compositions. Arrive for sunrise or sunset to capture the golden hour’s dramatic light reflecting off the wet sand and the tranquil waters of the Moray Firth. Look for the marram-covered dunes and the lone, skeletal tree on the shore for evocative, minimalist shots.
Coastal and Maritime views
For a taste of maritime life, head to Nairn Harbour. The classic stone piers, the moored leisure craft, and the bronze statue of the Nairn Fishwife provide perfect foreground interest for seascapes. The harbour mouth, where the River Nairn meets the sea, is particularly beautiful, offering shots that blend the town’s industry with its natural setting.
Nature’s Tranquillity: Nairn Riverside
Away from the beach you can find natural tranquillity along the Nairn Riverside. The river path, starting at the Maggott car park, offers a completely different photographic experience. Here, you can capture the calm, flowing water, framed by mature trees and lush greenery. Look for reflections on still sections of the water, especially on a clear day, or focus on close-up details of the moss and ferns that line the banks. The footbridges that cross the river provide excellent vantage points, allowing you to capture the perspective of the water moving toward the sea.
Whether you’re capturing the play of light on the Moray Firth or the gentle flow of the river, Nairn guarantees a stunning photo opportunity to share and inspire.
When is the best time to visit Nairn? What’s On in 2026
What’s on in Nairn and when in 2026?
A year round review of everything happening in this hidden gem of a place!
When planning a holiday, whether it’s a day trip, a staycation, or a grand tour, knowing the best time to visit is essential. Luckily in Nairn, there’s always something going on!
Nairn has a lot to offer visitors all year round, and 2026 is shaping up to be a great year for events, large and small.
To start the ball rolling there is the Taste of Nairn on 8th to 10th May, a 3-day food and drink festival with events being held in businesses all over the town and an artisan market held in the Nairn Community and Arts Centre featuring stalls, demonstrations, and contests.
Spring/Summer 2026
The Bandstand Beer and Music Festival – 30th April – 4th May 2026
A fabulous local festival from the CAMRA Highlands and Islands Pub of the Year 2021 & 2023 – with beer, food, music and more. Guest ales are served inside and outside the pub in a marquee in the garden and it’s a very popular event!
The Summer market will be held on Saturday, 11th July 2026 along Nairn High Street where once again the High Street will be a thoroughfare for stalls and shops opening their doors wide to welcome everyone. Reducing the traffic on the High Street from time to time really helps to create that relaxing atmosphere allowing everyone to get out and about and meet up with friends.
Nairn Show – 01 August 2026
The Nairn Show is back at Davidson Park where there will be stalls, livestock and plenty of fun to be had. There is a huge flower and produce show with many classes of entry from knitted goods to oatcakes – fascinating!
Late Summer
Nairn Highland Games – 15 August 2026
The Highland Games – with Piping, dancing and athletic contests including the Nairn Road Runners Half Marathon, there’s something for everyone, a great day out. It’s thought to be the last free Highland Games in the country and always a big draw for returning Nairnites from all over the world!
Autumn
Nairn Book and Arts Festival – 29 August to 6 September 2026
Nairn Book and Arts Festival is the town’s nine – day celebration of the arts and the huge variety of creative talent we have here in Nairn and the Highlands. Featuring a packed programme of accessible outdoor performance, live music and creative events for all the family, author talks – tours, workshops and exhibitions, and at least one day when fancy dress will be obligatory! Follow them on social media: Instagram or Facebook. Volunteer for, or sponsor the festival: [email protected]
Wheels of Nairn – 19 September 2026
Wheels of Nairn is a classic and modern vehicle show set with the stunning backdrop of the Moray Firth. Stalls, entertainment and refreshments are also featured at the show.
Other Attractions
Of course, you don’t need an event as a reason to visit Nairn, here are some of the attractions open locally for you to visit all year round (opening days/times may vary so please make sure to check in advance).
Visit Scotland, which lists Nairn as number one in the top 11 best places to stay in the Highlands, lists sights and activities for the area along with suggestions for accommodation, eating out and events.
Nairn’s new parkrun
Discovering New Horizons: Nairn’s new parkrun and the joy of parkrun “tourism”
One of the most exciting aspects of the global parkrun phenomenon is the opportunity for “parkrun tourism.” This isn’t just about bagging a new course; it’s about exploring new places, meeting different communities, and experiencing the familiar parkrun buzz in a fresh setting. Whether you’re chasing the coveted “alphabeteer” challenge (a parkrun for every letter of the alphabet, excluding X) or simply enjoying a Saturday morning run while on holiday, parkrun tourism adds a wonderful dimension to your fitness journey.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about stepping out at 9:30 AM (or 9 AM in England and Wales!) in an unfamiliar location, barcode in hand, and instantly feeling part of a welcoming community. You get to discover hidden parks, picturesque trails, and often enjoy a post-parkrun coffee with locals who are passionate about their town and their event. It’s a fantastic way to see a place beyond the typical tourist hotspots, offering a genuine glimpse into local life.
And for those in Scotland, there’s a fantastic new addition to the parkrun map: Nairn Links parkrun! Launched in March 2025, this event offers a beautiful coastal course along the Nairn Links, close to the beach. Imagine the fresh sea air, the sound of the waves, and the stunning views as you complete your 5k. It’s a flat, fast course on wide paths, making it suitable for all abilities, whether you’re aiming for a personal best or simply enjoying a leisurely walk. And just in case you’re completing the alphabeteer challenge, it’s the only “N” in Scotland!
Nairn Links parkrun is a brilliant reason to venture to the beautiful Highlands. Not only do you get to experience a brand new parkrun, but you also have the opportunity to explore the charming town of Nairn and its surroundings. So, pack your barcode, embrace the spirit of adventure, and make Nairn Links parkrun your next Saturday morning destination!
(Photos by Judy Beveridge)
Did we mention the
Northern Lights?
From mid October to early March, Nairn’s night skies light up with stunning displays from the Aurora Borealis.
Why not experience the Northern Lights with a winter mini-break in Nairn. Then head back to your cosy room for a dram or two of Speyside malt.