ArtMarketDirect

You'll find ArtMarketDirect tucked away in Argyll, just a short drive from Dunoon on the Cowal Peninsula. It's a working gallery space where local and regional artists sell direct to visitors, which means the stock changes regularly and you're not paying through a middleman's markup.

The setup is straightforward. Walk in, browse what's on the walls and shelves, have a chat with whoever's minding the place if they're there. Some pieces lean toward landscape work - you'd expect that in this part of Scotland - but the artists showing here work across painting, printmaking, ceramics and mixed media. It's low-key in the best way: no pretension, just people making things and selling them themselves.

Plan on 30 to 45 minutes if you actually want to look properly. An hour maximum unless you're the type to strike up long conversations about technique. Families with young kids might find it a bit quiet and static, though teenagers interested in art could find it worth a browse. It works particularly well as a detour on a rainy Cowal afternoon when outdoor plans fall through.

Staying at Hunters Quay Holiday Village, just under a mile away, makes this a natural pit stop. Same goes if you're based at The Secret Glen or any of the other parks dotted around the area. It's the kind of place that justifies a half-hour diversion without eating into your day.