Visitor Attractions in Nairn
Nairn’s premier arts venue providing a regular programme of exhibitions, live shows, talks, concerts and films. A bright, modern, fully accessible and adaptable building with disabled parking facilities and electric charge points.
Live Events – Activities & Classes – Art & Photography Exhibitions – Hire the space
King Street, Nairn, IV12 4BQ
01667 453476
Situated in Viewfield House, Nairn Museum offers visitors a fascinating insight into the life and times of the town and surrounding area over the centuries. Each year there is also a special programme of visiting exhibitions. The Museum particularly welcomes children, providing a range of pick-up-and-touch exhibits and a safe play area. Open April – October, Monday-Friday 10.00-4.30pm, Saturday 10.00am-1.00pm
01667 456791
An exotic animal rescue centre based in Nairn, which takes on and homes a range of exotic animals from the general public, SSPCA and various other organisations.
The centre is free to visit and donations are encouraged to maintain the rescue service. It also offers a number of different services including fun days, birthday parties, galas, festivals and community group visits.
Booking is essential. Parties of up to 6 can book an hour slot for a guided tour.
10 Harbour St, Nairn, IV12 4NU
01667 452462
Nairn Boat trips can be booked with Eric by either phone or email.
Prices are available online
As Nairn is a tidal harbour you will told the departure time for your trip date.
Suggest passengers bring warm, waterproof jackets and stout shoes. Don’t forget your cameras and binoculars if you have them
+44 7703 168097
Located just 4 miles from Nairn. The Bowhunter Team offer not just the opportunity to learn Woodland Archery, but also Axe Throwing, Bushcraft, and the exhilarating game of Combat Archery. All Instructors are fully qualified and welcome families, friends, corporate & community groups, parties and are dog friendly too! Here, the minimum age is 9yrs for Archery, 12yrs for Axe Throwing.
Balnagowan Woods, B9092, Nairn IV2 7QX
07923 111997
The first and only one of its kind in the Scottish Highlands, Nairn’s Splashpad is a fun, fully accessible play facility overlooking Nairn beach.
It is a lasting legacy that celebrates the lives of a brave local boy called Hamish Hey, and his mother Susan Hey, both of whom sadly lost their lives to cancer just a few years apart. Through the fundraising efforts of the #TeamHamish charity, locals and visitors to Nairn are able to enjoy the interactive experience.
Off Marine Road, Next to Strathnairn Beach Cafe
The Nairn Book and Arts Festival runs for a week during the summer across the town of Nairn.
There are a number of events to attend and workshops to take part in.
For information on dates and events please see website.
c/o Easter Tomloan, Littlemill, Nairnshire IV12 5UU
Nairn’s Little Theatre plays host to a range of local and touring productions, and is a regular partner venue of the annual Nairn Book and Arts Festival held each autumn.
Recently refurbished and available for hire, Nairn’s The Little Theatre offers a versatile, intimate space ideal for spoken word, musicals, live music and drama performances.
King St, Nairn IV12 4NS
01667 294394
Visitor Attractions Around Nairn
Landmark Forest Adventure Park was recently voted by TripAdvisor as one of the Top 10 Adventure Parks in the UK. Families have been enjoying Landmark Forest Adventure Park for nearly 50 years. With a climbing wall, highwire course, maze, water slides, butterfly house and home to to Dinosaur Kingdom, Scotland’s Biggest and Best Dinosaur Experience, it’s a must-do for any family visiting Nairn.
26 miles/40 minutes from Nairn
Stand in awe of Fort George, one of the most outstanding fortifications in Europe. It was built in the wake of the Battle of Culloden (1746) as a secure base for King George II’s army.
The imposing fort was designed by Lieutenant-General William Skinner and built by the Adam family of architects. Fort George took 22 years to complete, by which time the Jacobite threat had subsided. But it has served the British Army for the almost 250 years since.
8 Miles/20 minutes from Nairn
Discover one of Scotland’s most evocative prehistoric sites – the exceptional remains of an ancient cemetery, set on a terrace above the River Nairn.
The Clava Cairns are about 4,000 years old and were built to house the dead. The cemetery remained a sacred place in the landscape for millennia, and provides many clues to the beliefs of Bronze Age society.
14 Miles/25 Minutes from Nairn
From its base in Inverness, Scotland’s largest combined arts organisation presents and makes work with, by and for the people of the Highlands and Islands and those who visit the region.
Overlooking the River Ness, Eden Court has two beautiful theatres: The Empire – 869 seats, The One Touch – 275 seats, two multi-purpose studios, two cinemas and three art galleries, in addition to a cafe and restaurant.
18 Miles/30 Minutes from Nairn
On 16 April 1746, the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head in one of the most harrowing battles in British history. Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobites.
The richly researched, stimulating and sensitive Culloden Visitor Centre, which stands beside the battlefield, features artefacts from both sides of the battle and interactive displays that reveal the background to the conflict.
13 Miles/24 Minutes from Nairn
Opened in 1993 by Prince Edward, Inverness Botanic Gardens, formerly Inverness Floral Hall & Gardens, are an oasis of calm and beauty within walking distance of the city centre. With each new season the outside gardens are an explosion of colour and texture, and borders are planted to demonstrate a wide variety of plants and growing conditions. The impressive glasshouses reveal the drama of plant diversity ranging from the tropical rainforests to arid, heat scorched desert.
18 Miles/32 Minutes from Nairn
Discover more about the unique history and culture of the city of Inverness and the Scottish Highlands at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
Explore a fascinating range of artefacts and collections that celebrate Highland life and heritage. The galleries house permanent and temporary exhibitions from local to international artists.
17 Miles/28 Minutes from Nairn
Magnificently situated on the shore of Loch Ness, this ancient ruin has seen some of the most dramatic chapters in Scotland’s story – as a medieval fortress, during the Wars of Independence and Jacobite Risings.
The last of the government troops garrisoned here during the Risings blew up the castle when they left. Urquhart’s iconic ruins remain, offering glimpses into medieval times and the lives of its noble residents.
34 miles/54 Minutes from Nairn
Morayvia Sci-Tech Experience is one of Scotland’s best Aviation and Science Museums. A short drive from Nairn in Kinloss, close to the former RAF base, the museum boasts an impressive array of decommissioned aircraft and other hardware, including the last remaining Nimrod. A must-visit for anyone with an interest in military or aviation history.
14 Miles/22 Minutes from Nairn
A traditional Scottish Castle built and inhabited by the Cawdor family for over 600 years, with an ancient medieval tower constructed around a legendary holly tree.
Uniquely for a Scottish Castle, Cawdor boasts three very different gardens, each with their own history that generations of owners have, transformed, and extended.
6 Miles/13 Minutes from Nairn
A place to take your time, with something for everyone, Logie Steading Visitor Centre makes a lovely outing whether you’re on holiday, live locally and fancy a weekend run-out to a beautiful location or if you need to just escape weekday reality for a few hours.
Set in the beautiful Findhorn Valley, Logie Steading is home to artisan makers and retailers as well as the The Cafe at Logie Steading. Our beautiful setting offers plenty of opportunity to get outside and explore with Logie House Garden, the playpark and the spectacular walks along the River Findhorn.
Logie Estate, Forres, Moray, IV36 2QN - Approx 25 mins drive from Nairn
01309 611378
Acres of gentle Moray countryside surround the rose-coloured Brodie Castle, ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years, although their family seat has been here since the 12th century.
The Playful Garden at Brodie Castle is full of excitement for all the family. Located near to the castle, it explores the Brodie family history in a novel and fun-filled way.
7 miles/12 Minutes from Nairn
Hop over into Moray to pick up the Malt Whisky Trail: the ultimate Scotch experience. The Trail is a partnership of nine whisky destinations, all of them based in the heart of malt whisky country in Speyside. Speyside is home to the largest concentration of Scotch malt whisky distilleries in the world. From active distilleries like Benromach, Glen Grant, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet, and Strathlisa, to historic distilleries like Dallas Dhu, and The Speyside Cooperage, where many of Scotland’s whisky casks are processed. Here, you’ll meet the craftspeople who are the guardians of centuries of whisky know-how.
*Closest Distillery- Benromach - 11 Miles/17 Minutes from Nairn. *Furthest Distillery - Strathisla Distillery - 40 Miles/1Hr from Nairn