Richard Demarco Gallery

The Richard Demarco Gallery sits in Dunbar, a coastal town that doesn't shout about its art credentials but quietly punches above its weight. This is a working contemporary gallery rather than a grand museum - the kind of place where you might stumble upon something genuinely unsettling or brilliant, depending on the current exhibition.

Demarco's reputation rests on championing experimental and avant-garde work, particularly performance and installation pieces that wouldn't fit comfortably in traditional galleries. The space itself is intimate, which means you're not wandering through endless rooms but engaging directly with what's been chosen to hang or sit or perform in this particular moment. Recent shows have ranged from video installations to conceptual sculpture.

It's absolutely not for people after crowd-pleasing landscapes or feel-good art. If you're staying at nearby Belhaven Bay Caravan Park and fancy something beyond the coastal walks - though Dunbar's seafront is genuinely lovely - this rewards the curious. History enthusiasts might appreciate that Demarco was instrumental in bringing Eastern European avant-garde to Scotland during the Cold War, effectively opening doors that were meant to stay shut.

I'd ring ahead before visiting, as hours can be irregular and exhibitions change seasonally. The town itself is worth an afternoon regardless - proper working harbour, decent fish and chips, cliffs worth walking. The gallery's the jewel if your timing's right.