Nairnshire was a county in the north east of Scotland. The county also included the burgh of Nairn. Nairn County Council was established by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889, taking over powers from the Commissioners of Supply, County Road Trust, and other local authorities. In 1930 Nairn County Council combined with Moray County Council in respect of almost all the functions of county government, although Nairn County Council continued until 1975 with greatly reduced functions. Nairn County Council and Nairn & Moray County Council were abolished in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973, and the former county became part of Highland Region. The current local authority for the area is the Highland Council, set up in 1995.

Archive services
Further information about these archives can be found in the SCAN Directory.
The Highland Council Archive
Northern Health Services Archive
National Archives of Scotland
National Library of Scotland
Moray Council Local Heritage Centre (for some records relating to the Moray and Nairn Joint County Council)

Local studies libraries
Highland Council Libraries
Also: Nairn Literary Institute Library, Viewfield House, Nairn, IV124EE.

Family History Societies
Highland Family History Society

Historical records

County Council records
County Constabulary records
Medical Officer of Health reports
Vehicle Licensing Records
Valuation Rolls

Sheriffdoms
JP court records
Register of sasines
Other records