BRAE GALLERY

The Brae Gallery sits in Nairn, a small coastal town in the Highland region that doesn't get nearly enough attention from visitors heading further north. It's a contemporary art space that punches well above its weight - the kind of place where you'll stumble across work from both established Scottish artists and up-and-coming names that galleries in Edinburgh and Glasgow would kill to show.

What you get is genuine art in an intimate setting, no pomposity, no hectoring labels telling you what to think. The gallery rotates exhibitions regularly, so there's proper reason to visit more than once if you're staying in the area. The space itself is straightforward - nothing fancy architecturally - but that works in its favour. You're here for the work, not the building.

It suits anyone with even a passing interest in contemporary practice. You won't feel out of place if you're not an art person either - locals use it as a cultural anchor for the town. Realistically, budget an hour unless there's a particularly large show on.

For a park holiday base, Nairn's got Barrow Campsite just down the road, a solid spot with good ratings. The town itself has proper beaches and that slow, unpretentious Highland charm that gets lost once you head inland. The gallery breaks up a beach day nicely, especially if the weather's turning. It's free or very cheap to get in - typical indie gallery pricing - and worth the detour if you're camping nearby.