Nairn facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nairn Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Narann
Nairn
Population	10,190 (2020)
OS grid reference	NH887563
• Edinburgh	116 mi (187 km)
• London	446 mi (718 km)
Council area	Highland
Lieutenancy area	Nairn
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	NAIRN
Postcode district	IV12
Dialling code	01667
Police	Northern
Fire	Highlands and Islands
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Scottish Parliament	Inverness and Nairn
List of places UK Scotland 57°35′10″N 3°52′08″W / 57.586°N 3.869°W / 57.586; -3.869

Nairn (pronounced "Nairn"; in Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Narann) is a town in the Highland Council area of Scotland. It used to be a special type of town called a royal burgh, which meant it had special rights from the king.

Nairn is an old fishing port and market town. It's about 17 miles (27 km) east of Inverness. The town is located where the River Nairn flows into the Moray Firth. It's also the main town of the traditional area called Nairnshire.

In 2022, Nairn had about 9,394 people living there. This makes it the third-largest town in the Highland Council area. Only Inverness and Fort William are bigger. Nairn is famous as a seaside resort. It has two golf courses, lovely beaches, and a community arts center. There's also a small theatre called The Little Theatre. A local museum shares information about the area's history.

Exploring Nairn's Past

The History of Nairn is very rich and goes back a long time. It includes early human settlements from the Stone Age. Later, the Picts lived here, and even the Roman general Agricola might have visited.

Some people think the town was founded by Sigurd, Earl of Orkney. Nairn became a royal burgh under David I. The town has always been important to Scottish kings and leaders. Its location made it key in many wars and times of hardship.

Nairn's Natural Landscape

Nairn is located at the mouth of the River Nairn. It faces the North Sea at the Moray Firth. The town has two large beaches. The east beach is mostly sand with plants like marram grass. The west beach has more rocks but becomes sandy near the river.

The Culbin Sands are a huge area of sand dunes in Britain. The soil near the coast is thin and sandy. In areas like Culbin, it has been made stronger for growing trees. The town itself is mostly flat, rising slightly from the sea.

As you go south from Nairn, you'll see Conifer forests. On higher hills, there are heather moorlands. The wider Nairnshire and Moray area has many woodlands. About 28% of the land is covered in trees.

Nairn is surrounded by gentle hills and farmland. These areas were shaped by glaciers long ago. The land is fertile and mostly sits on granite rock. Water flows north into the River Nairn, which can sometimes cause flooding. Because of this, riverbanks in town are strengthened.

Nairn's Weather

Nairn has a maritime climate, which means its weather is influenced by the sea. This brings cool summers and mild winters. Even though it's near the sea, Nairn is one of the driest places in Scotland. This is because nearby mountains block much of the rain.

Nairn's Population Growth

Nairn Population Chart

The population of Nairn has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown:

Nairn's Culture and Arts

Nairn has a lively cultural scene. On May 27, 1960, The Regal Ballroom hosted a band that would become very famous. It was a cover band called The Silver Beetles. Three of its members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison. They later became The Beatles.

The Ballerina Ballroom in Nairn hosted many other famous bands. These included Pink Floyd and The Who in 1967. Status Quo played there in 1970. Fleetwood Mac and Slade visited in 1971.

Today, Nairn still loves music. It hosts the Nairn International Jazz Festival every August. Famous musicians like Bob Wilber have played there.

Local Traditions and Food

The Nairn Farmer's Show, or Nairn Show, is a big event. It has been held by the Nairnshire Farming Society since 1798. The show features competitions for farm animals like cattle, sheep, and horses. There are also craft and food fairs. Locals compete with their baked goods, honey, and handmade items.

Many people in Nairn love to cook. This passion is clear at the Taste of Nairn food and drink festival. This three-day event even hosts the World Tattie Scone Championship!

Theatre and Literature

Nairn is home to The Little Theatre. It is run by the Nairn Drama Club, which started in 1946. Each year, the club puts on several shows. The annual Christmas pantomime is their biggest production. The theatre was rebuilt and reopened in 2004.

In 2007, Oscar-winning actress Tilda Swinton, who lives in Nairn, started a film festival. It was called "Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams." It brought worldwide attention to Nairn.

Nairn also celebrates books and arts. The annual Nairn Book & Arts festival happens every September. It takes place at the Nairn Community & Arts Centre. Famous authors and journalists have attended. The festival includes speakers, performers, and readings by local poet Olive Fraser.

Learning in Nairn

Nairn Academy

Nairn has one secondary school called Nairn Academy. It is located on Duncan Drive and has been there since 1976. Before that, it was in the building now used by Rosebank Primary school. Nairn Academy was founded in 1832 by Captain James Rose.

Besides Rosebank Primary, Nairn also has Millbank Primary school. Nairn Academy also welcomes students from Cawdor, Croy, and Auldearn Primary Schools.

In 2021, Nairn Academy was ranked 204 out of 340 schools in Scotland. This ranking is based on how many students achieve five Highers (a type of exam).

Faith and Beliefs in Nairn

Chart of the result from the 2011 Scottish census in Nairn indicating percentage of religion.

During the 2011 census, most people in Nairn said they had a religious connection. The largest group belonged to the Church of Scotland. However, more people said they did not follow any religion.

Here's a breakdown of religious groups in Nairn from the 2011 census:

Christianity in Nairn

Seal of the Burgh of Nairn, showing Saint Ninian

Nairn was traditionally part of the Moray diocese (an area managed by a bishop). This area was formed around 1122.

There are two Church of Scotland churches in Nairn. The Old Parish Church was built in 1811 on Academy Street. A second church, Nairn St Ninians, is on High Street. It opened in 1881 and is known for its Early French Gothic design.

Other Christian churches in Nairn include St Columba's Episcopal Church and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. There are also Nairn Baptist Church, Nairn Free Church, and The Pentecostal Church of God.

Islam in Nairn

Islamic practices in the area go back to before World War Two. There are Muslim graves for fallen soldiers in nearby Kingussie. Lady Evelyn Cobbold, also known as Lady Zainab, was a notable local figure. She was the first known British woman to complete the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in 1932.

The number of Muslims in Nairn is small. This is because there isn't a Mosque in the town. The closest Mosque is in Inverness, about 16 miles west.

Paganism in Nairn

Witchcraft has a long history in Scotland and Nairn. In nearby Elgin, there's a deep pool called the Order Pot. It was used to test people accused of witchcraft from Nairn until 1560. Many people were tried and killed as witches in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In 1662, a woman named Isobel Gowdie from Auldearn, near Nairn, was accused of witchcraft. Her story is remembered in an orchestra piece.

Modern pagans in the area have formed online groups. These include the Scottish Pagan Federation and Highland Pagan Open Circle.

Sports and Activities in Nairn

Nairn Highland Games

Nairn offers many sports and activities. The Nairn Sports Club has facilities for weight training, cardio, tennis, squash, and badminton. They also offer classes like spinning and yoga. The Nairn Leisure Centre has the town's only swimming pool. Nairn also has the only Synchronised Swimming club in northern Scotland.

Highland Games and Running

The Nairn Highland Games is a very popular yearly event. It has been held since 1867. It attracts many tourists and locals. Events include a half-marathon and traditional Highland games. These include the tug-of-war, shot put, and tossing the caber. These games are the only ones in Scotland with free entry.

Another big event is the Nairn 10k race. It starts and ends on Nairn High Street. The race takes runners through the countryside. There's also a fun run for children as young as nine. The Nairn Road Runners club hosts this event.

Curling and Football

The Nairn Curling Club is the oldest recorded sports club in Nairn. It was started before 1854.

Station Park, Nairn FC

Nairn has three local football teams. Nairn County plays in the Highland Football League. Nairn St. Ninian is another team. The Nairn St Ninian Women's team started in 2016.

Cricket and Golf

The Nairn County Cricket Club has been part of the North of Scotland Cricket Association since 1893. They host a yearly Kwik Cricket Competition for local schools. This helps encourage young people to play cricket.

Nairn is famous for golf, with two 18-hole championship courses. The Nairn Golf Club was founded in 1887. It has hosted major tournaments like the 1999 Walker Cup. The Nairn Dunbar Golf Club, established in 1899, also hosts important golf events.

Other Sports

Nairn has two Bowling clubs: Nairn St Ninian Bowling Club and Nairn Bowling Club.

Being on the coast, Nairn is great for sailing. The Nairn Sailing Club has been active since 1968. The Nairn Coastal Rowing Club started in 2017. A newer addition is the Nairn Boxing Club, established in 2019.

Famous People from Nairn

Many interesting people have connections to Nairn:

• Charlie Chaplin, the famous actor, used to holiday in Nairn every year.
• Margaret Fulton, a well-known food writer from Australia.
• James Augustus Grant, an explorer who helped discover the source of the White Nile. He was born and died in Nairn.
• Frances Mary Hendry, a children's author, lives in Nairn. Many of her books are set there.
• Grenville Johnston, a Lord Lieutenant of Moray, was born here.
• Fraser Nelson, the editor of The Spectator magazine, grew up in Nairn.
• Tilda Swinton, an Oscar-winning actress, has lived in Nairn since 2007.
• David St John Thomas, a British author and publisher, lived here.
• William Whitelaw, who was the British deputy Prime Minister, was born in Nairn. A street is named after his family.

See also

In Spanish: Nairn para niños