Ballater Gallery

Ballater Gallery sits right in the heart of Ballater itself, and it's one of those spots that rewards a proper look around if you've got an hour to spare. The space showcases contemporary work from Scottish and UK artists - paintings, sculpture, prints - with exhibitions that rotate regularly, so there's always something different on the walls. It's a proper working gallery, not some stuffy museum piece.

You'll get the most out of it if you actually care about art. Families with young children might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're already keen on galleries; it's not interactive or designed to keep fidgety kids entertained. But for anyone interested in what Scotland's creative types are producing right now, it's absolutely worth a walk around. The building itself has character too.

The admission policy and opening hours aren't entirely clear from the available information, so ring ahead before you make the trip - nothing worse than turning up to a gallery only to find it shut for a private event. Allow 45 minutes to an hour if you're the type who reads the descriptions.

If you're staying at Ballater Caravan Park - which is literally across the road - you could pop in on a lazy afternoon. Even better if you're based at Howe of Torbeg or Firbank Park, both just a short drive away. Pair it with a walk along the Dee or a browse of Ballater's shops and tea rooms, and you've got yourself a solid half-day.