The Bandstand by Nairn promenade

May 2016

Nairn

has a convenient railway station to Inverness so was a useful centre for my trip to the area, with the train from King's Cross reaching Inverness without changes. On a mainly single line at Nairn the line divides so that an up train and a down train can stop alongside each other before passing on their way. Very economical, though take care to check which side your train is arriving. Further economy is shown by the fact that station buildings are usually on one side of the track - and as here at Nairn one side has been taken by a flower business.

In blustery weather with swiftly passing rain showers I set off from the harbour along the promenade - once very popular with Victorian holiday makers - then along the edge of a golf course, always straight into the wind. I followed Walking World id=848.

Shortly after a curious old ice house (once used for preserving fish) the track cut inland through gorse, past a farm and into Delnies Wood, where the sunlight created a delightful dappled shade.

This was a pleasant walk and varied, with open land, sea shore and open managed woodland. There are views from the seafront over to The Black Isle, and at evening it really does look black.

Later, on an evening stroll I found this fisherwoman, statuesque near the harbour. She represents one of those hardy folk from Fisher Town, the area of Nairn nearest the harbour. Sadly there seemed to be no serious fishing now at Nairn, though the posh fibreglass and GRP boats moored in the harbour indicate that some boating still goes on.