A royal burgh and Parish in the county of Ross, Tain is a small but mighty town on the southern side of the Dornoch Firth.
Tain is Scotland’s oldest burgh and it’s a town full to the brim with history and like many of its neighbours, surrounded by world-class natural scenery.
This town is full of unique architecture where many of the prominent buildings were commissioned by the Maitland family in the late 19th century.
Sure, it has a population of just 3,000 or so full-time residents, but dig deeper and you have a town well worth visiting.
From royal histories to world-class golf and whiskies, Tain has it all.
So without further ado, here’s our pick of the bunch for the best things to do in Tain.
Balblair and Glenmorangie Distilleries
Tain is blessed with not one, but two great distilleries for whisky fans to visit.
Balbair has been churning out extraordinary single malts since 1790 and Balbair visitors are encouraged to come and take a look at a behind-the-scenes look of how this distillery operates.
At Balblair you can explore the buildings, meet the makers, and of course taste the whiskies from the source itself.
Glenmorangie meanwhile offers a pleasant Highland whisky experience and offers the chance to sample rare and usual varieties that you wouldn’t be accustomed to at other distilleries.
A friendly team at Glenmorangie Distillery offers a variety of tours and tastings but both distilleries are a solid choice for whisky fans.
Tain Museum
If you’re a Ross, then you might come from the Ross clan who dominated much of this area in years gone by.
Jason knows almost everything there is to know about the Ross clan and along with the rest of the Tain’s staff offers history, stories and fables of Tain and all of Scotland.
Tain Museum makes for a fascinating day out and whilst entry is free, they do rely on free donations so bear that in mind if you have a great experience here!
Mermaid of the North
Head to the nearby village of Balintore on the coast and you’ll find a 11 ft statue of a mermaid on top of a rock.
The Mermaid of the North was designed as part of a sculpture park that celebrates local heritage.
Should you be driving the NC500, you can get your passport (NC500 passport) stamped with the Mermaid of the North by visiting the nearby Seaboard Centre.
Tain Through Time Museum
Yep, Tain has another great museum called Tain Through Time.
Located near St. Duthac’s Church, this is the place to be if you want to immerse yourself in the town’s history.
The exhibit at Tain Through Time traces the story of Tain from its early days as a religious hub to its incorporation as Scotland’s first Royal burgh.
Particular highlights at Tain Through Time include the relics of St Duthac, medieval artefacts, and illustrious displays of Scottish Kings.
If you’re a history buff then Tain Through Time is well worth a visit.
Tain Golf Club
Tain Golf Club is a Highland treat. Designed by Old Tom Morris, this is a challenging course with spectacular views of the Dornoch Firth.
Described as a dream championship-length course of 6,404 yards over 18 holes, this famous course was designed in the area where the game was first said to have been invented.
Green fees for visiting players vary throughout the year but offer surprisingly decent value for such a prodigious course ranging from £65 for a day ticket in April to £35 for a single round between January and March.
What are some of your favourite places to go and things to do in Tain?
Let us know in the comments below!
