Nairn sits on the Moray Firth coast, about fifteen miles east of Inverness. It is a small seaside town with a long sandy beach, two championship golf links and a working harbour, and it makes an easy base for the wider Highlands. We have two self catering cottages here, both a short walk from the beach and the town centre.
Keel Cottage is a three bedroom cottage, beautifully refurbished, moments from the beach. It sleeps six and it is dog friendly, so the whole family can come.
Mabels Cottage is a two bedroom cottage a stone's throw from the beach, with a log burning fire and a bright open plan living area. It sleeps four, and the golf is a short stroll away. It is dog friendly too.
Both are booked direct with us rather than through an agency, so you are dealing with the owners from the first enquiry to the day you leave.
Nairn Beach is a long stretch of sand on the Moray Firth, and it is the reason a lot of our guests come back. Along the coast you will find Culbin Forest, where the pine woods run right down to the sands, and the Nairn River Walk, which follows the water from the town out towards the sea. The Moray Firth is also one of the best places in the country to see bottlenose dolphins from the shore.
Nairn has two links courses, Nairn Golf Club and Nairn Dunbar Golf Club, both within easy reach of the cottages. Between them they make Nairn a natural stop on a Highland golfing trip.
Cawdor Castle and its gardens are a short drive inland. Fort George, with the Highlanders' Museum, sits out on its own promontory overlooking the firth. Closer to home there is the Nairn Museum, Nairn's Little Theatre and the Community and Arts Centre, and for anyone who wants to be on the water there is the Nairn Kayak Centre and Phoenix Sea Adventures.
The town itself has a good bookshop, independent shops such as Crafty Wee Birdie, and a decent choice of places to eat. For something further afield, the whisky distilleries of Speyside are within a comfortable day's drive.
If you are deciding between our two Nairn cottages, the short version is this: both of them welcome dogs, so that is not the deciding factor. Choose Keel Cottage if you need three bedrooms or there are more than four of you, and Mabels Cottage if there are four of you and you want the log fire and the beach on the doorstep. If you are not sure, ask us and we will tell you honestly which one suits your dates and your group.