Balnakeil Craft Village

A sprawl of converted military buildings on the edge of Durness, Balnakeil Craft Village is one of those places that shouldn't work but somehow does. What was once a Cold War radar station is now home to a loose collective of artists, craftspeople and small businesses - think pottery studios, jewellery makers, a bakery, and the sort of shops that sell things you didn't know you needed.

Walking around is free, and you can potter about for anything from thirty minutes to a couple of hours depending on how many studios catch your eye. The buildings themselves are fairly utilitarian - don't expect chocolate-box prettiness - but there's something rather appealing about the honesty of it all. You'll find working artists at their benches, which beats a gift shop any day.

It's the sort of place that works best on a grey afternoon when you're not in a rush. Kids might enjoy poking around for ten minutes, though teenagers will find it a bit thin unless they're genuinely interested in craft. The real draw is for anyone who appreciates small-scale makers doing their thing without the twee factor.

If you're staying at Sango Sands Oasis just down the road, Balnakeil makes for a gentle diversion between walks. Durness itself is perched at the edge of some proper dramatic coastline, so combine this with a hike to Cape Wrath or a visit to Smoo Cave and you've got a decent morning sorted.