10. Gather Round

You'll find this contemporary art space tucked into the Highland landscape near Invergordon, a working fishing town on the Cromarty Firth. Gather Round is the sort of gallery that makes you think twice about what art actually is - it's small, independent, and genuinely interested in conversation rather than pretension.

The space itself hosts rotating exhibitions that lean toward community engagement and local voices. Think installations, textiles, photography, and work that talks to the people living here rather than trying to impress London critics. It's not cavernous or grand, which is rather the point. You're not here to tick a box; you're here because something on the wall genuinely made you stop.

Worth allowing an hour, maybe ninety minutes if the current exhibition properly grabs you. It's ideal for anyone who finds traditional gallery circuits a bit much - artists and makers will appreciate the curatorial approach, and families won't feel rushed. Older kids might actually engage rather than groan.

This works brilliantly as a quiet morning or afternoon slot when you're basing yourself at one of the local pods - Newmore Highland Pods is only twenty minutes away, and it's the sort of place that pairs well with a walk along the Firth afterwards. If you're treating the Highlands as your playground rather than just passing through, this kind of venue rewards a bit of curiosity. Check ahead for opening hours and whether there's an admission charge, but don't skip it on your itinerary.