Nairnshire

Nairnshire, a maritime county in the NE. of Scotland, bounded N. by the Moray Firth, E. by Elginshire, and S. and W. by Inverness-shire; consists of a main body and 5 detached portions, 3 of which are in Elginshire, 1 in Inverness-shire, and 1 in Ross and Cromarty; the main body has an extreme length, N. and S., of 18 miles, and an average breadth, E. and W., of 11 miles; the coast, which is flat and sandy, has an extent of 10 miles; area, 127,905 acres; population 10,455. The low ground near the coast is fertile and well-wooded, the soil consisting of a rich free loam over sand or gravel. The surface gradually rises thence into mountains in the S. Granite is abundant, and is quarried. The rivers are the Nairn and the Findhorn. Agriculture and the fisheries are the chief industries. The county comprises 3 pars, and 7 parts, and the parl. and royal burgh of Nairn (Inverness Burghs). It unites with Elginshire in returning 1 member to Parliament.

– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)

Moray & Nairn Family History Society

www.morayandnairnfhs.co.uk

Moray & Nairn Family History Society was established in February 2009, for people researching their ancestry in these old counties. The society has members throughout Britain and overseas.

Nairn Museum

Viewfield House, Viewfield Drive

Nairn IV12 4EE

01667 456791

www.nairnmuseum.co.uk

Since 1858 Nairn Museum has fascinated generations of visitors and locals alike of all ages. Located in a Georgian House set in parkland, the museum tells the story of Nairnshire and the families who had lived and worked in burgh or country.