Its average house price is almost 35 per cent higher than the rest of Scotland’s. But what puts the historic seaside town of Nairn in the property limelight? Three stunning beaches and two championship golf courses are just the start…

Nairn is somewhat a hidden gem when it comes to Scottish coastal destinations. Perhaps it’s the distance from the city-dwellers of Edinburgh and Glasgow – more than a three-hour drive whichever route is chosen – or its latitude: only four European capital cities are further north.

People have made their home in and around where the town lies for millennia – certainly dating back to 5,000 BC. Many have come and gone – the ancient Picts before the Romans’ recce and then centuries of kings, thanes, bishops and barons who battled over the area’s fertile and strategic lands.

Even the town’s origins are somewhat a mystery. It takes its name from the river. The Nairn rises in the Monadhliath Mountains to the west of the Cairngorms – and it is these hills and Old Father Time that have shaped Nairn’s siting, growth and success as a stunning coastal town on the Moray Firth.

Those high hills soak up the prevailing westerly rainfall – helping to create a micro-climate that makes Nairn sunnier and drier than many other places nearby. The Picts clearly knew a thing or two.

The third largest town in the Highlands – after Inverness and Elgin – Nairn has a population of under 15,000…but growing. And it’s easy to see why.

The last few years have allowed us to rethink how we live and work. ‘WFH’ is an oft used initialism – a change in lifestyle that has seen an explosion in home and garden offices as well as relocations. Smaller, rural and coastal towns have been the greatest beneficiaries and those served by good infrastructure, even more so.

Transport links to Nairn are excellent when compared with many in coastal locations. Not only will you find frequent bus and train services, but the continued development of nearby Inverness Airport – only 20 minutes from the town – is a real boon. There are regular flights between Inverness and London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Belfast – as well as numerous destinations in continental Europe. Those links have enabled an increasing number to consider Nairn as a new base for living and working.

You also won’t go far in the town without meeting someone who plays golf – no need for six degrees of lofted separation. The Nairn Golf Club and Nairn Dunbar Golf Club are Championship golf courses located at either end of the town.

The oldest? Nairn Golf Club by just over a decade. Shaped by Old Tom Morris and five-time Open champion, James Braid, it commands breath taking views across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle and beyond. They also have the 9-hole Cameron Course that’s ideal for a fun family round.

The Nairn Dunbar Golf Club, established in 1899, offers golfers panoramic seaward views towards Sutherland and inland to the Cawdor Hills. For aficionados? Cabot Highlands – formerly Castle Stuart – and the iconic Royal Dornoch are within easy reach too.

The town’s beaches – in fact the entire coastline – are a huge draw. From the ‘Secret Beach’ on the west side, through Nairn Beach in the town to the harbour. Over the river, East Beach is followed by Culbin Sands, an RSPB Nature Reserve. This dramatic sweep of saltmarsh and sand dunes includes relics from the Second World War – anti-glider poles that were installed along miles of coast all the way to the River Findhorn to prevent enemy aircraft from landing on the sands. You could spy sea ducks, oystercatchers and ringed plovers here too.

And when it comes to fauna, Nairn and the surrounding countryside are famed for fishing – trout and salmon. We’ve mentioned the Findhorn – one of the most famous rivers in the Highlands for salmon. The River Nairn itself has many opportunities for anglers along almost 40 miles of its course.

Golf to fishing, historic castles to stopping for a dram at a local distillery – Nairn has much to discover. Visitors have been drawn to the town since Victorian times. In the last century, silent movie hero, Charlie Chaplin, would bring his entire family to Nairn – taking over the second floor at what is now the Muthu Newton Hotel. He was a pilgrim in search of a different pace of life. In today’s modern times, many more are following in his footsteps.

WHERE TO BUY

Monica Main, property manager at local agent, R&R Urquhart, is an ‘early adopter’ having relocated to Nairn with her parents and siblings in the late 1970s. She explains: “I live in Nairn and have done so for 45 years. I married and have raised my family here – Nairn is also home to my grandchildren, so I am well versed in explaining the tremendous benefits of moving here.”

Monica highlights the ‘post pandemic’ affect, revealing: “Following Covid, the town’s population has increased with buyers relocating from England and southern Scotland. This area offers a quieter, more relaxed lifestyle – and the airport means quite a number of buyers can still commute to London.”

That demand also means an increase in interest in holiday and long-term rentals, although Scottish Government regulations on the sector have had an impact on sales.

Larger housebuilding programmes have been on the books in Nairn for more than a decade. A large collaboration of community partners and stakeholders are working hard on a Local Place Plan but, as is so often the case, development relies on additional infrastructure.

In the meantime, prospective buyers need to keep an eye on new listings of older properties. When properties come to the market, they tend to get snapped up – the demand far outstripping supply.

There’s a wide range of property style in the town – from handsome and substantial period homes in the older part near the beach to detached bungalows with secluded gardens in more modern developments on the outskirts of the town. And there is everything in between with flats, semis and historic cottages nearer the harbour.

HOW MUCH?

The Victorian era saw the town boom with popularity and the development of some substantial ‘villas’ close to the seafront. Recent properties listed – by agent Strutt & Parker – have seen prices advertised with ‘offers over’ £650,000 for six-bedroomed homes.

Mid-range – with houses on popular small estates such as Grant Place on the south side of Nairn – have three-bedroomed homes listed as ‘offers over’ £320,000.

There is also a healthy market for starter homes and flats – some in the upper floors of older properties – right in the town centre. A one-bedroomed flat listed recently with local agent, E2W, invited ‘offers over’ just £88,000.

Laura Ewan, partner at E2W, says the local market is “busy and buoyant” adding: “We have been in Nairn for almost 20 years and, in that time, have seen a great change in the popularity of the town for those looking to relocate – especially away from cities.”

Although E2W operates across the region, Nairn is very much “home and HQ” with an office right on the High Street. Laura adds: “Today’s market is a great mix – from those renting to explore and then decide on their ‘forever home’ to buyers making that lifestyle change and finding a property with room for home-working.”

TIME OUT

Many of the fishing boats may have gone from Nairn’s harbour – built more than 200 years ago by Thomas Telford – but the river, sea and all things aquatic remain at the heart of the town.

Nairn is renowned for its sandy beaches – white sands that stretch for mile after mile. Behind the beaches and along the river? Secluded woodland crisscrossed with walks and trails to be explored – whether with a four-legged friend or donning boots and heading out for a more serious hike.

Walk to Cawdor – home of the castle that was built as a fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, made famous by William Shakespeare’s MacBeth. The 600-year-old castle is open to the public – and is one of a number in the area to be explored.

For foodies, Nairn boasts an array of eateries – from AA rosette-awarded restaurants to less formal bistros, bars, cafes and takeaways: fish and chips enjoyed on a walk to the harbour and beach is a time-honoured must.

It is a living community with a busy calendar. The Nairn Show is a mainstay – held on the last Saturday in July with traditional agricultural displays and competitions as well as marquees full of arts, local baking and homemade wines, honey and more. A real highlight? The Word Champion Galcantray Clydsdales, vintage tractors and the Nairn Pipe Band.

Complementing traditional events such as the Nairn Show are more recent additions to the town’s calendar – a classic car show, Wheels of Nairn – and a showcase of local food and drink – Taste of Nairn.

As a market town of old, Nairn still packs and punch for those wanting to shop: boutiques, craft and gift stores, homeware, health and beauty and more.

TRAVEL LINKS

Nairn has its own train and bus station that connects across all related networks. Regular trains from Inverness take around 20 minutes.

Flying in? Inverness Airport is a short drive away and has regular flights with Loganair, Easy Jet, British Airways and KLM.

Driving? The town is served by the A96 that runs from Inverness in the west to Aberdeen in the east. The A939 runs south from the town – connecting Nairn to Speyside and the Caingorms National Park.

SCHOOLS

Nairn Academy describes itself as “a vibrant, progressive school preparing its pupils for life in the 21st century”. Beyond the classrooms, it has a games hall, theatre, three grass pitches and an all-weather pitch. The school is supported by four local primary schools – Auldearn, Cawdor, Millbank and Rosebank. It caters for 11 to 18-year-olds and has a current role of 679.

Just over half an hour away is Gordonstoun – one of the UK’s “leading independent schools for boarding and day pupils”. Gordonstoun was the birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and caters for children aged 4½ to 18.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY…

You will find a wealth of holiday accommodation in and around Nairn enabling you to plan a visit to explore. Here’s two we recommend:

  • In Chaplin’s footsteps, The Muthu Newton Hotel is set within 21 acres of parkland and gardens, bordering the Nairn Golf Course. It has 63 rooms with private bathrooms, and is only a ten-minute drive from Inverness Airport.
  • Dolphin View Cottage. This self-catering property has the harbour, River Nairn and East Beach to the right. And then the links, playgrounds and swimming pool to the left. The town centre is just a few minutes’ walk away.

WHAT YOU CAN GET FOR YOUR MONEY

Here are some of our favourite properties for sale in and around Nairn:

SUBSTANTIAL PERIOD HOME (OFFERS OVER £650,000)

Westfields in Seabanks Road is a handsome and substantial extended period home situated in the heart of the town centre and within close proximity of the beach. struttandparker.com/properties/seabank-road-4

SPACIOUS FLAT (OFFERS OVER £195,000)

Situated in a tucked away town centre location close to all amenities, whilst still being secluded enough to enjoy peace and quiet. This spacious flat occupies the whole middle floor of Rosebank Court and offers a layout which is very flexible in use. r-r-urquhart.co.uk

SYMPATHETICALLY RESTORED (OFFERS OVER £450,000)

A stunning, sympathetically restored  ‘C’ listed Victorian property set on a large elevated site in Auldearn village. Lounge, reception room/fourth bedroom, kitchen, scullery/pantry, shower room, bathroom, three bedrooms, garage, summer house. r-r-urquhart.co.uk

CHARACTERFUL COTTAGE (OFFERS OVER £265,000)

A beautifully refurbished characterful Fishertown cottage only a stone’s throw from the beach, brought to the market in walk-in condition, and offering generous accommodation over two floors. r-r-urquhart.co.uk