Art on the Quay

The converted waterfront building that houses Art on the Quay catches you straightaway - all red sandstone and harbour views, the sort of place you'd walk past and think "what's that?" before realising it's actually worth a proper look. Inside, it's a modest but genuinely engaging contemporary gallery that rotates local and regional artists throughout the year. You'll find everything from paintings and photography to sculpture and installations, though it's not one of those vast spaces where you need two hours just to cover the ground.

The real appeal here is the setting. Arbroath's harbour is cracking, and wandering between the gallery and a coffee nearby feels properly unhurried. It's the sort of place where you could spend forty minutes to an hour without feeling rushed, and if the current exhibition doesn't grab you, at least the walk there isn't wasted. Families with younger kids might find it a bit lean on interactive elements, but anyone interested in what Scotland's contemporary art scene is actually doing - rather than the tourist-circuit version - will appreciate the authenticity.

Timing-wise, pair it with The Grange Glamping just up the road if you're making a long weekend of it. That's about five miles away and offers a completely different flavour of Aberdeenshire. Admission details are thin on the ground online, so ring ahead before you set out. Summer's the obvious bet for visiting, when the light's best and the harbour's busiest.