Nairn

Situated in the Highlands of Scotland and home to the film star Tilda Swinton, Nairn is a modest village with a big claim to fame. The village used to be a fishing port and market town and there is a local museum situated in the town, dedicated to this history. On visiting London, James VI of Scotland boasted to the English king that Nairn had a street so long the people spoke one language at one end and another at the other. Reflecting the often split personality of the Highland culture, Nairn was split down the middle between Gaelic and English speaking inhabitants. Located on the coast, Nairn is now best known as an idyllic seaside resort and golfing holiday destination and there are a range of self catering cottages on offer in the area, offering complete freedom to explore the village and surrounding area. The town has a long history and has been at the centre of numerous conflicts; nowadays it tends to just play host to golfing challenges, however. There are numerous festivals that take place in the town, from the annual jazz festival that takes place every August to an array of arts festivals, as well as hosting one of the biggest Highland Games that takes place in Scotland. Situated not far from Inverness, the town also offers the opportunity to visit a large Scottish city where there is a vast number of shops and restaurants on offer as well as innumerable historical and picturesque buildings.