Courage Cat

The first thing that strikes you about Courage Cat is how unassuming the entrance is. This gallery space near Hazlehead celebrates the work of a single artist whose feline subjects have become oddly iconic across Scotland. It's not a massive operation, but that's rather the point - you get a genuine sense of the creator's vision without the museum fatigue.

Inside, the paintings are bold and characterful. Cats dominate, obviously, but there's something about how they're rendered that appeals to far more than just cat people. The work has an emotional directness that cuts through pretension. You'll spend anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours here depending on how much you want to sit with individual pieces.

It works best for art enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates illustration that doesn't take itself too seriously. Families with older kids who care about art will get something from it, though young children might lose interest quickly. The staff are chatty if you catch them, which adds to the intimate feel.

Head here on a dry afternoon between Deeside Holiday Park and a walk in the surrounding woods. Hazlehead itself has a decent park if you want to combine this with a leg-stretcher. Admission and opening hours can be a bit fluid - ringing ahead is worth the effort rather than turning up hoping for the best. It's the sort of place that rewards curiosity but won't suit everyone.