Nairn started life as Invernairn – a Gaelic term for “mouth of
the river of alders”. There was a settlement here as early as the
4th Century but it was in the 19th Century this little fishing
village and market town became known as a health resort. John
Grigor was the man credited with the transformation into the
“Brighton of the North”. He was responsible for building many of
the large sandstone buildings that you will see during your
journey
The co-ordinates take you to the harbour / marina area where you
will find ample parking. From here you must find various monuments
/ buildings / sights which will then give you the co-ords of the
final cache location – note the ‘missing’ numbers - the cache
container is now a magnetic nano (you know the sort!!) so remember
to take a pen!
Lets go!! Firstly you must find :-
Part 1 D-Day Prep N 57° 35.363 W 003°
52.262
”This tablet commemorates the training of the Third British
Infantry Division over these beaches from December
19AB to April 19CD prior to
taking part in the invasion of Europe”.
SILENT WE CAME
SILENT WE LEFT
TO STRIKE A BLOW FOR FREEDOM
Part 2 Tea & Cucumber Sandwiches N 57° 35.328 W
003° 52.400
Standing in front of the Cricket Pavillion ( it is believed
cricket was introduced to Nairn by Englishmen working on the
railway) turn and look inland. The natural amphitheatre you see in
front of you is where the Nairn Highland Games are held every year
– definitely worth a visit – especially if you’ve never witnessed
tossing the caber before (remember – imagine the thrower at the
centre of a clock – the highest points are reserved for those who
throw it end-over-end with the caber landing at 12 o’clock)
On the far side you will see the Wallace Bandstand. Opened in
1884 the Bandstand was a gift from John Wallace of Ballarat
Australia. John had emigrated to Oz in 1824 and his father was a
member of the Town Council & Links Committee
On the right the large block of apartments stand where the
Marine Hotel once stood. One of John Grigors creations (at a cost
of £2,800!!) after visits from one of Queen Victoria’s daughters it
became known as the Royal Marine.
Before you leave, count the number of steps at the front of the
pavilion (beneath the clock) and divide this by 2. Answer =
E
By the way, the tea & sannies were made by Mrs B for her
Dad - the 'legendary' Nairn batsman R W Berry!!
Part 3 Megabaths N 57° 35.355 W 003°
52.783
Whilst walking along the shore ensure you look out for the
130-strong colony of bottlenosed dolphins that inhabit the Moray
Firth. It's worth going on one of the boat trips - an experience to
remember if you're lucky enough to see them up close!
The original Nairn Salt Water Swimming Baths were opened on 28
June 1873 by Dr Grigor who believed the baths would attract
visitors to Nairn. There was a fountain at the centre through which
seawater was pumped in by steam engine @ 360 gallons / minute. At
140,000 gallons capacity the baths were believed, by the Nairnshire
Telegraph at least, to be “one of the biggest in the world”
At this point, you have an option. For a longer walk (OPTIONAL
EXTRA) continue along the front and follow the directions below.
For the shorter route head to N 57.35.266 W003.52.553 turn into
Glebe Road (Part 3A)
OPTIONAL EXTRA
Continue along the seafront to N 57.35.294 W 003.53.447.
Here you can continue for a short wander along to Nairn Golf Club –
one of the highest rated courses in the UK and the scene for
Britains Walker Cup triumph in 1999. If you do this ‘spur’ come
back to this ‘corner’ and continue up along past the marvellous
Golf View Hotel
The scene of The Bostiks wedding reception, the Golf View
Hotel is a great stopping point for a wee ‘refreshment’. Why not
treat yourself and book in for a couple of nights stay!
Alternatively you could try the Newton Hotel – just up along
Altonburn Road. This is where Charlie Chaplin and his family stayed
on their many summer visits to Nairn in the 1960s. The claim to
fame of Mrs Bostik is she used to play with his children in the
grounds of the hotel!!
Turn left just past the Golf View into Albert Street and
follow this round. Turn left again into Thurlow Road and follow
this until its intersection with Seafield Street. Turn left here
and head back to the ‘main tour’. Turn into Glebe Road at
N57.35.266 W003.52.553 (Part 3A)
MAIN TOUR
Look for a small barrier at N 57.35.246 W003.52.496 and turn up
this little lane
Part 4 Viewfield N 57° 35.156 W 003°
52.433
Viewfield. Here you will find Nairns’ Museum. It is well worth a
visit if you would like to learn more about Nairn and the
surrounding areas. The Museum is generally open 10.00 to 16.30
Monday to Saturday, from March to the end of October.
Outside there is a statue to John Grigor. Grigor is credited
with developing the small market / fishing town into a widely known
resort
Find out when the statue was first erected :-
Answer: FG May HJKL
You now have the last piece of the jigsaw. The small cache can
be found at :-
Part 5 The Prize N 57.B(K-D).CG(J-F)
W003.(E+F)H.(A+E)(B+F)(G+H+L)
The following route will take you to your final
objective………..
From here continue down the main drive and turn left at the
bottom. You are now on King Street. Pass the newly extended United
Reformed Church and enter the Fishertown (careful crossing the
road!)
In its early days the Fishertown was a crowded place where many
of the fisherfolk lived in ‘suspect’ conditions. Many of the houses
were roofed with the local marram grass which was ‘harvested’ from
the dune areas. This eventually led to coastal erosion and was
partly responsible for flooding in the winter
At the Little Theatre turn right along Caledonian Street or
Simpson Road and head for N57.35.187 W003.51.877. Cross Harbour
Street and walk down Brochers Brae. Turn left at the river and
continue to walk towards the sea
The first stone harbour was built by Thomas Telford in 1820 but
was badly damaged by flooding in 1829. In 1850 Nairn had 60 fishing
boats and 400 fishermen - as you near the harbour check out the
ruts / gouges worn in the stone quayside by the mooring ropes from
the ships
Go find the cache !!! We hope you enjoyed your tour!!
The undernoted websites will give you more information on some
of the places you have visited and, since you’re in the area, why
not take in some of the other ‘attractions’ listed as well……
visitNAIRN.com
NTS Brodie Castle
NTS Culloden Moor
Nairn
Golf Club
Culbin Forest
Nairn Dunbar
Golf Club
Fort George
Cawdor
Castle
Nairn Highland
Games
Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society
