COLD PARADISE

An art gallery in the middle of nowhere - that's Cold Paradise, tucked away near Strathcarron in the Highlands. It's a contemporary space that punches well above its weight for a place this remote. The building itself is striking, and inside you'll find rotating exhibitions of Scottish and international work across painting, sculpture, and installation pieces.

This is genuinely for art people first, casual browsers second. If you're expecting a quick fifteen-minute wander, you'll misjudge it. The work demands attention, and the quietness of the space - you might be the only visitor - means you actually get time with the pieces. That's rare.

The gallery sits handily near Shieldaig Camping & Cabins if you're basing yourself in the area for a few days. You could combine it with walks around Loch Shieldaig or the broader Highland landscape without too much faffing about. Strathcarron itself is small, so Cold Paradise becomes something to work into a wider Highland trip rather than a destination in itself.

Opening hours and admission aren't confirmed, so ring ahead or check their website before you go - nothing worse than driving out to a remote gallery only to find it closed. That said, if contemporary art and solitude appeal to you, it's well worth the detour.