The Pink House

The Pink House stands out the moment you spot it on the edge of Strathpeffer - a Victorian villa painted in that distinctive salmon hue that seems to glow against the Highland landscape. It's a private residence, so you're admiring it from the outside, but what makes it worth a stop is precisely that colour and the fact that it's been standing here since the 1880s, defying the grey stone convention of the era.

Truth be told, you'll spend five minutes photographing it, maybe ten if you're the sort to linger and imagine what it must have been like when Strathpeffer was Scotland's answer to a spa town. The house itself isn't open to the public, so this is a quick diversion rather than a destination in its own right.

Where it works best is as part of a broader wander through Strathpeffer itself - the Victorian architecture here is genuinely interesting, and the town sits among genuinely good walking country. If you're staying at nearby Blackrock Caravan Park, you're only five minutes away, so it's an easy addition to an afternoon stroll. Families with very small children might find it less engaging than older kids who enjoy spotting period details and taking photos. History buffs will appreciate the context of Strathpeffer's turn-of-the-century heyday, though the house itself offers limited storytelling from the pavement. Visit during daylight to catch that pink properly - it's considerably less impressive in the gloam.