Nairn Through Time

This fascinating selection of photographs traces some of the many ways in which Nairn has changed and developed over the last century.

The picturesque seaside town of Nairn enjoys a prime location on the Moray Firth coast; in fact, it claims to be the driest and sunniest place in the whole of Scotland. In the nineteenth century, the alleged medical properties of the local seawater (along with the good weather) brought Victorians to the town from far and wide, and following the opening of the railway station in 1855, Nairn became a respectable and popular holiday destination for the wealthy. The town was thus transformed from a once-thriving fishing community into a flourishing health resort. The expanse of sandy beaches, fantastic sea views and ample opportunities for riverside walks mean that Nairn has remained a popular holiday destination ever since. The harbour and its pleasure boats are now a mere reminder of Nairn''s past as a bustling herring fishing port, and the town is better known today as a world-class golfing destination.