Distance: 2 ¾ – 3 ½ miles. Time: 1 – 2 hrs. Level: Easy with some elevation. Terrain: Paths, pavement, and sandy beach Access: Car parking is available at Falconers Lane IV12 4DS just off the High Street and the start of the walk. Regular buses run between Aberdeen and Inverness stopping at Nairn Bus station which can be found opposite Falconers Lane car park. Trains also run between Aberdeen and Inverness the station can be found at IV12 4QS and is only a short walk to the High Street.
Nairn is a beautiful town on the Moray Firth with so much to offer. Not only beautiful beaches, but there is also a lovely river side walk along the River Nairn and the town centre is packed with independent shops and some fantastic places to eat.
Start the walk from the coo on the wall on the High Street at the opening to Falconers Lane from here you will head down the street towards the sea. When you reach the Nairn bookshop take a left onto Gordon Street.
At the end of Gordon Street turn left and walk along King Street until you reach the pedestrian crossing. Cross over the road here and continue along King Street passing by the Nairn Community and Arts Centre. Take the next right along Viewfield Drive.
Walking along Viewfield Drive you will soon find Viewfield, a beautiful Georgian mansion house which now houses the Nairn Museum. In front of the museum there is a large, impressive statue of Dr John Grigor. Dr Grigor was a surgeon from Elgin who came to live in Nairn in the 1830’s.
He built several properties in the town including a large hotel. He also promoted Nairn as an attractive tourist destination in the Victorian era. Take a right past the museum and follow the path that takes you on to Viewfield Road.
Walking along you can admire some of the beautiful houses along the way. At the end of the road take a right on to Seafield Street. At the next junction take a left and walk down towards the leisure centre.
At the leisure centre you can take the path to the left and head down to the beach to explore the rock pools or carry on the circular walk by turning right along the footpath. Passing by the splash park there are toilets a little further along.
You will see the bandstand on your left which is worth the walk for a photo opportunity.
Keep going along the path or you may choose to go on to the beach until you reach the Sundancer Restaurant. You will now have reached the harbour. To your left you will find the ‘Nairn Fishwife” The bronze sculpture was erected in 2007 and is based on an actual person Annie Ralph, one of the last of the Nairn fishwives.
Walking round past the harbour you will find a footbridge that will take you over the River Nairn. From here you could walk up to the lighthouse and admire the views of the Black Isle before taking the riverside path back into the centre of Nairn.
The riverside path takes you on a quiet stroll in a wooded area with the river running alongside to your right until you reach Jubilee Bridge.
Heading over the bridge follow the path through. Riverside Park until you reach Mill Road. Take a left here and head under the railway bridge. Keep going along Mill Road which shortly becomes Church Street. At the end of Church Street you will arrive at the High Street and where you began your walk.
Tracy Goes Outside 