Day 46 – July 4, 2025 – Nairn, Scotland
Happy Independence Day!!!!
Had a great breakfast again at the hotel then we packed up and headed towards Nairn, which is about a 3 ½ drive. The drive to Blair Castle is near Pitlochry and was about 1 ½ hours so it was a nice break in the trip.
Blair Castle has been home to 19 generations and has over 750 years of history. It is the home of the clan Murray and the seat of the Duke of Atholl. The castle features a blend of medieval, Georgian, and Victorian styles, including original 13th-century elements and extensive 18th-century remodeling. More than 30 rooms are on display with portraits, furniture and landscapes. The highlight is the Victorian Ball which is decorated with 175 pairs of antlers and the Entrance Hall, which features weapons used in the Battle of Culloden. Blair Castle played roles in several major historical events, including the Jacobite Rebellions. In 1746, it was occupied by Jacobite forces shortly before the Battle of Culloden. The Duke of Atholl retains the right to raise a private army—the Atholl Highlanders, the only legal private army in Europe.
We took a tour through the castle, which was fascinating and then had a quick bite in their restaurant. I think the chef didn’t show up because it was a very limited menu and not the best, but we had no idea where to go so we just made the best of it.
After lunch, we headed back on the road to Nairn with a pit stop at Walker’s, the shortbread cookie store, and Macallan Distillery. John and Vance did not have a tour reserved, but they did let us look in the store and the guys bought a sample box of three of their whiskies.
We finally made it to the Tali-Ayer B&B, which is a lovely older home with modern amenities. It is a husband (David) and wife (Rowena) and apparently, she is one that will be cooking breakfast in the morning. We got the instructions from David and then settled and then headed to town, which is only a 15-minute walk, for some dinner. We chose The Class Room and had a great meal and drinks. We made reservations for tomorrow night since the food was good, and they had a decent menu. We headed back to the B&B and the guys did a tasting of the whisky and then called it a night as it was a long day. Tomorrow we are heading to Forres, which is about a 20-minute drive, to see the Highland Games. Great first day in Nairn!
A bit of history about Nairn:
It’s an ancient coastal town on the Moray Firth and the surrounding area is rich with prehistoric sites, including standing stones and burial mounds.
By the 12th century, Nairn was established enough to be made a royal burgh as its location at the mouth of the River Nairn made it a strategic fishing and trading port. Medieval Nairn was “double-centered”, with two communities (east and west) separated by the river.
The town saw turmoil during the Covenanting period and later the Jacobite uprisings. Nearby Culloden Battlefied (1746), the site of the final Jacobite defeat, is just a short distance away.
In the 19th century, thanks to its dry climate and long sandy beaches, it became a popular Victorian seaside resort. And now it is known for its beach tourism, golf, and sunny micro-climate compared to much of the Highlands.
