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Sightseeing & Accommodation
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NAIRN (16 miles east of Inverness)
Popular seaside resort with one of the best sunshine records in Scotland. Long stretches of sandy beaches.
Easily accessible by public transport. Regular buses and trains operate between Inverness and Aberdeen via Nairn.
The town has many shops, cafes, take-aways, restaurants, leisure park, banks and two championship golf courses.
The Moray Firth Trail has a useful web site with walking paths and maps.The Nairn Naturally web site provides lots of local info including an events calendar, places to visit, history, street map, business directory, and lots more.
Also see visitnairn.com which has a wealth of visitor information about Nairn and includes the Nairn webcam.
For a list of shops & restaurants in the main shopping street of Nairn, visit www.high.st/nairn/
SKY Delights in Leopold Street is a great organic, vegetarian deli and coffee bar with homemade goodies and specialist fine foods.The Nairn Highland Games usually take place on the third Saturday in August (tel: 01667 458 508). The Nairn Agricultural Show (late July, tel: 01667 455 922) is held at the Farmers' Showfield. The Nairn International Jazz Festival is in August. Many other local events are held each year, especially over the summer. The Nairn Book and Arts Festival is in late August / early September. The Nairn Golf Club hosted the 37th Walker Cup in September 1999.
Nairn Museum in Viewfield House, Viewfield Drive is open Easter - October Monday - Saturday 10am - 4.30pm. Small admission charge. In addition to its numerous display rooms, the museum also has genealogy information for Nairn & Nairnshire including Cawdor, Croy, Auldearn, Ardclach, Petty. Tel: 01667 456791.
B&B accommodation in Nairn includes:
BRODIE CASTLE (4.5 miles west of Forres and 24 miles east of Inverness)
Well worth a visit. Lovely grounds and many furnished rooms open to the public.
Located close to the Brodie Countryfayre store on the Inverness-Nairn-Aberdeen road. Accessible by local bus service (approx. 1 km walk).
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Open daily in April from 10.30am - 4.30pm.
From 1 May to 30 June: open Sunday-Wednesday 10.30am - 4.30pm From 1 July to 31 August: open daily 10.30am - 5pm September & October: open Sunday-Thursday 10.30am - 4.30pm The wooded grounds are open all year round every day. Owned by The National Trust for Scotland. |
Brodie Countryfare is a great place for browsing clothes, homeware and gifts. It has a wonderful gourmet food hall with lots of Scottish specialities and a restaurant. Open daily. Tel: 01309 641 555.
The Old Mill at Brodie has good food and drink, as well as rooms for the night. Conveniently right by the A96. Tel: 01309 641 605.
While in the area, don't forget CAWDOR CASTLE which is between Inverness and Nairn. The castle and grounds are open for Easter in 2012, then daily from 1 May to 30 September between 10am and 5.30pm.
AULDEARN
This village is 3 miles east of Nairn on the road towards Forres. Historical points of interest include the site of the battle between the Covenanters and the Royalists in 1645, the Boath Doocot and the parish church dating from 1757. Dalmore Church (1 mile up Lethen Road) is now used to sell a wide variety of antiques - quite a treasure trove apparently (telephone 01667 453 087).For accommodation with a friendly welcome, visit The Covenanters' Inn. The original part of the Inn was the Mill and Brewhouse for the people of the area. Today there is a restaurant and lounge bar where you can sample the local produce.
FORRES (26 miles east of Inverness)
One of Scotland's oldest towns, Forres was used by Shakespeare as the setting for his play Macbeth. On Victoria Road is the Witches' Stone where supposed witches were burnt up until about 200 years ago. Founded by Hugh Falconer and his brother, the Falconer Museum has exhibits on the natural history and geology of the area. The town's most impressive sight is Sueno's Stone which stands 23 feet tall and was carved with battle scenes possibly as long as 1000 years ago. On Cluny Hill an eight-sided tower commemorates Lord Nelson. Forres also has squash and tennis courts, plus a swimming pool.
The Forres Highland Games are in July.
Benromach Distillery on the outskirts of Forres is the smallest working distillery in Speyside. Guided tours and gift shop (open October to April). Tel: 01309 675968.For local info try Forresweb.net and www.forres-net.co.uk
The Forres Gazette is a good source of local news.
For a list of shops & restaurants in the main shopping street of Forres, visit www.high.st/forres/Miele's of Forres started producing ice-cream here in 1930. It is based in The Northern Fish Restaurant (at 28 High Street) which renowned for its fish & chips (eat in or take away). They also produce ice-cream cakes!
Less than 2 miles out of Forres, Hilda Massie of Milton of Grange Farmhouse offers 4 star B&B on the family farm. Ensuite bedrooms with views of the countryside towards Findhorn Bay.
Three miles west of Forres, you can go on tours of the Darnaway Estate to see the farm, forest and castle.
The Burgie International Horse Trials take place each year in June. Look out for signs just off the A96 near Forres.
LOGIE STEADING
6 miles south of Forres is Logie Steading which encompasses an art gallery, walled garden, garden shop, tea room, crafts, antiques & rare books for sale, etc. Open every day from the end of March to Christmas, 10.30am - 5pm. Phone 01309 611278. Plus holiday accommodation and fishing on Logie Estate.KINLOSS
Kinloss is home to the RAF base and historic abbey.
The House of Automata has a micro museum of inspiring wonders, an interactive exhibition, a visible workshop and a shop full of curiosities, scientific wonders and moving gifts. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm. Located at Seapark in Kinloss. Tel: 01309 691 212.
The Loft at East Grange Farm near Kinloss has a bar and bistro which hosts a varied selection of live music.
Activities available on the farm include trout fishing, quad bikes and Biathlon target shooting. There is also a campsite with Wigwams for hire (tents and caravans welcome). Tel: 01343 850 353.FINDHORN (4 miles from Forres)
Home of the Findhorn Foundation which has residential courses and workshops, also a cafe, community shop (organic foodstuffs, crafts, spiritual books, etc.), recycling facilities. The Ecovillage includes ecohousing, organic gardens, recycled whisky barrel houses, pottery, weaving and art studios, plus wind power generator, etc. Visitor centre open daily during the summer. Self-guided and guided tours available.
Adjacent to the Findhorn Foundation community, the new Moray Art Centre includes exhibitions and artists' studios. Tel: 01309 692426.
Also check out the Culbin Forest and Culbin sands.
The Kimberley Inn overlooks Findhorn Bay and provides great food and drink.
Yellow Sands offers en-suite B&B accommodation with superb views of Findhorn Bay. Telephone Eric & Kate Bruce: 01309 691 351.
Friends Cottage on Findhorn Bay offers self catering with 4 bedrooms.
Shambala is a Buddhist Retreat Centre on Findhorn Bay offering B&B accommodation, retreats and courses.
BURGHEAD
Situated just along the coast from Findhorn. Sandy beach, harbour, unique ancient well, old churches, visitor centre (open daily 12 - 4pm). Lots of Pictish history. For more info visit the Burghead Headland Trust and the Burghead page by Angela Oatridge.
The Equus Equestrian Centre at Roseisle can offer lessons and pony trekking days out (tel: 01343 835036).
The Burning of The Clavie takes place here on 11 January every year to celebrate the 'old' New Year.
Granary Wharf Villas offer a choice of 3 self catering properties overlooking the harbour.
Taigh-togalach is a 3 star holiday cottage available for self catering in Burghead.
Curlew Cottage is a 4 star self catering property with 2 bedrooms, located in Burghead.ELGIN (38 miles east of Inverness)
Known as the Lantern of the North, the cathedral was founded in 1224, but destroyed by the Wolf of Badenoch in 1390. Second in size in Scotland only to St Andrews cathedral. Now in the care of Historic Scotland, the ruins can be visited (admission charge).
Image copyright Colin Palmer stock photo library (purchase prints and posters online)Additional photos of Elgin Cathedral are online by Phil Wright.
Other attractions include an old meal mill, the Moray Motor Museum and the Elgin Museum (which has a large collection of fossils and Pictish stones). The town has a shopping centre, post office, banks, bars & restaurants, supermarkets, leisure centre, and a tourist office. Nearby you will find Millbuies Country Park.
The local Farmers' Market is held in Elgin on the last Saturday of every month.
For a list of shops & restaurants in the main shopping street of Elgin, visit www.high.st/elgin/Based in Elgin, Northern Lights Campers has a bright yellow VW campervan for hire. Tel: 07896745288.
Johnstons of Elgin is a well known shop and 5 star visitor attraction including coffee shop. They produce high quality Scottish cashmere clothes and gifts. Free guided tours around the mill. Tel: 01343 554099.
Six miles south of Elgin is Pluscarden Abbey which was founded in 1230, burned down by the Wolf of Badenoch (he was a busy man) and restored in the 1940s. It is now the home of a religious community and is a centre for spiritual retreats.
Three miles south of Elgin is Birnie Church which dates from the 12th century and is thought to be the oldest parish church in continuous use for worship in Scotland. Dedicated to St. Brendan the Navigator, the church contains something called the Hairy Bible which was bound in calfskin in 1774.
Just north of Elgin are the ruins of Spynie Palace - a tower built around 1470, once the residence of the Bishops of Moray. Queen Mary stayed here in 1562. Today it is 3 miles from the sea, but originally Spynie was on the coast. It is thought that perhaps sand and shingle cut it off from the sea in the 17th century.
Four miles north of Elgin are the ruins of another castle - the impressive Duffus Castle which is surrounded by a moat.
LOSSIEMOUTH
Set on the coast, just a few miles from Elgin, Lossiemouth is known as the 'jewel of the Moray Firth'. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy miles of sandy beaches, 2 golf courses, walks, cycling trails and look out for dolphins.
Visit the local web site Lossiemouth.org for full details and also see the page on Wikipedia.
The Lossiemouth Fisheries & Community Museum includes a reconstruction of the room used at his home by James Ramsay MacDonald (the first Labour Prime Minister of Great Britain) who was born in Lossiemouth in 1866. The museum is open from May to September for a small admission charge (children free).
The town is also home to RAF Lossiemouth where you can often see aircraft flying in and out.
Based here is Outf!t Moray - an outdoor education charity offering activities, courses and tailored programmes for young people, adults, families, and groups. Walking, climbing, abseiling, ziplines, mountain bikes, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, bodyboarding, duckies, white water rafting, sailing, teambuilding, archery, camping expeditions, bushcraft, orienteering, etc. Equipment hire available (mountain bikes, camping & outdoor gear, etc.). Tel: 01343 549571.MORAY
Visit the official Moray web site and read about all the local museums.SPEYSIDE
Check out The Speyside Way which stretches from the coast at Buckie inland to Aviemore (a total distance of 84 miles /135km). There are 2 offshoots to Dufftown and Tomintoul.The Moray Firth Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay has information about the local wildlife including bottlenose dolphins, otters, seals, ospreys and a huge variety of birds. The centre has a cafe, giftshop, historic icehouse and a free exhibition suitable for all the family. The exhibition includes a video, quiz trails for children, educational computer games and a researcher on hand to answer your questions. Events for all the family take place throughout the summer from wildlife talks to Fun Days. Opening hours 10:30 - 5pm: February and March (weekends only), April to October (daily), November to mid December (weekends only). Closed from mid December to end January. Tel: 01343 820339
There are a variety of boat trips on offer from various places along the Moray coast - click here for links (provided by the Dolphin Space Programme - which is a code of conduct for marine wildlife watching on the Moray Firth).
House Of Mulben near Keith offers fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, quad biking, archery, off road driving and zorbing with the Mountain Ball. For corporate groups, families, stag and hen parties and any groups of up to 80 people. Stalking and shooting on the estate also available.
WHISKY DISTILLERIES
- scotchwhisky.net includes a map of all the distilleries
LOCAL EVENTS FOR 2012
- 3 - 7 May: Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
- 6 May: Forres Vintage Vehicle Theme Day
- 8 - 10 June: Nairn Golf Club will host the 2012 Curtis Cup contested by international women amateur golfers
- 8 - 10 June: Keith Traditional Music Festival
- 23 - 24 June The Scottish Traditional Boat Festival at Portsoy
- 7 July - Forres Highland Games
- 28 July - Dufftown Highland Games
- late July: Speyfest in Fochabers (Celtic festival of traditional music, dance and crafts)
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Featured Accommodation |
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Gordon Castle Estate
Also available on the estate:
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Gordon Castle Estate
Gordon Castle is set in secluded grounds
Located in Fochabers in the scenic Spey Valley.
Historically the principal seat of the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon
Numerous living areas on both floors for guests to enjoy:
A full Scottish breakfast, lunch and 3-course dinner is served in the Castle.
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Hotels / Inns |
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Louise & Douglas Harrison
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The Covenanters' Inn
Friendly, family-run establishment.
9 miles from Inverness Airport. 2 miles from Nairn.
14 ensuite bedrooms with TV, etc.
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Ian & Sylvia Bochel
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Sunny Brae Hotel
Enjoy peace & quiet at this family-run small hotel
Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars.
8 en-suite rooms: twin, double, single.
B&B prices from £40 per person.
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Eight Acres Hotel
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EIGHT ACRES HOTEL
3 star hotel on the outskirts of historic Elgin.
Leisure Club with 15m swimming pool,
Restaurant serving afternoon teas and dinner.
Locally popular wedding venue for up to 180 guests
Newly refurbished.
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Golf View Hotel
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GOLF VIEW HOTEL
Traditional 4 star hotel in central Nairn with sea views
Leisure club with 14-metre swimming pool,
Conservatory restaurant with sea views. AA Red Rosette.
42 ensuite bedrooms (single, double, twin, family):
B&B prices from £40 per person.
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Newton Hotel
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The Newton Hotel
Former mansion house built in 1872.
56 ensuite bedrooms with satellite TV, telephone, etc.
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Euan and Susan Cameron
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The Station Hotel
Cosy traditional 'village inn' style hotel with friendly personal service.
Possible day trips include the Castle Trail, Whisky Trail,
14 bedrooms (double twin, family, triple).
B&B prices from £35 per person (2 sharing).
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Andrew and Linda Meiklejohn
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CASTLE HOTEL
Family-run, elegant retreat set in 7 acres of parkland
2 luxury suites with Italian tiled bathrooms
Available for wedding ceremonies and receptions.
B&B prices from £55 per person (2 sharing)
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Bed and Breakfast |
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Sheelagh and Dave Southwell
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Greenlawns
Lovingly restored and elegantly furnished Victorian house.
7 ensuite bedrooms (family, double, twin).
B&B from £20 - £35 per person (2 sharing).
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Pat MacGregor
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Argathnie Bed and Breakfast
An authentic Scottish stone house.
Choice of 3 bedrooms all on ground floor level:
Large enclosed garden. Off-road parking
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Angela & George Mackay
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Glebe End
Recently renovated Victorian villa in Nairn
Spacious and comfortable accommodation.
Self catering wing also available.
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Paul and Mairi Banks
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Cawdor House
Scottish Tourist Board 4 Star Guest House.
Choice of bedrooms (double, twin, family)
B&B prices from £35 per person.
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Mrs Ann Cartmell
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The Croft
Charming Victorian town house set in 1 acre of gardens.
Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars.
3 spacious bedrooms:
B&B prices from £35 - £38.
Aviemore 50 miles. Aberdeen 65 miles.
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Hilda Massie
Additional B&B accommodation also available
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Milton of Grange Farmhouse
Family-run arable farm.
Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars.
Full Scottish breakfast or choices including
3 bedrooms in the farmhouse:
B&B prices from £30 per person.
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Hilda Massie
Additional 4 star accommodation
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Milton of Grange - Annexe
Family-run arable farm.
Breakfast is served in the main farmhouse.
Pine cabin summer house built in 2005:
B&B prices from £32 per person (2 sharing).
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Self Catering / Vacation Rentals |
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Contact: Pat MacGregor
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Cottar House
Well-equipped, newly refurbished cottage (sleeps 2).
Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars.
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George & Elizabeth McConachie
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Ackron Self Catering
Large new house with 5 bedrooms sleeping 8-9 people.
2 ensuite double bedrooms, 2 twin bedrooms,
Rental prices from £435 per week.
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Mrs Agnes Strachan
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Balbair Cottages
Scottish Tourist Board 3 Stars.
Views across the firth to the hills.
Each cottage has its own south-facing garden with patio furniture.
Rental prices from £250 per week.
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Angela & George Mackay
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Beach View
House with sea views over Nairn's central beach
Bedrooms: 1 double, 1 twin, 1 with bunkbeds. Sleeps 6.
Prices from £350 - £600 per week.
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Louise & Douglas Harrison
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The Covenanters' Chalet
Self catering chalet for 8 people
Accommodation comprises:
Rental prices from £350 per week
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Angela & George Mackay
4 star B&B also available
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Glebe End
Self catering wing of Victorian villa in Nairn.
Spacious accommodation on 2 floors.
Prices from £300 - £550 per week
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Mrs Cattanach
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Hollybush House
Recently built house equipped to a high standard.
Sleeps 8.
4 large bedrooms: 2 twin and 2 double (2 ensuite)
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Gordon Castle Estate
Courtyard Cottage (sleeps 4)
Apple Cottage (sleeps 4)
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Gordon Castle Estate Cottages
Choice of self catering on the Gordon Castle Estate
Garden Cottage (sleeps 8)
Lakeside Cottage (sleeps 4)
Lakeside Bothy (sleeps 4)
Prices on application. Special rates and breaks in low season.
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Hillview
Contact Mark Scott
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Hillview
Luxury cottage with countryside views.
Accommodation for up to 12 people:
Rental prices from £799 per week.
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Mr. David Buchanan
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Burnside & Mill Lodges
2 luxury lodges each with 3 bedrooms, sleeping up to 6.
Fully equipped including bed linen and towels.
Lounge area with digital TV, DVD player.
Prices from £190 - £445 per week.
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by Joanne Mackenzie-Winters © 1996-2012
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