Templestones

Templestones is a contemporary art gallery tucked into the Aberdeenshire landscape near Forres, showcasing rotating exhibitions from emerging and established artists. The space itself is modest and unpretentious - the kind of place where you'll actually encounter the work rather than getting lost in endless corridors.

What makes it worth the drive from Forres depends entirely on what's on when you visit. There's no permanent collection, so timing matters. You might find anything from abstract paintings to sculpture to installation work. Most people can work through an exhibition in 45 minutes to an hour, though if you're genuinely interested in the artist's work, you could easily spend longer reading the notes and sitting with individual pieces.

It's the sort of gallery that appeals to art enthusiasts and anyone after a quiet cultural moment away from bigger museum crowds. If you're camping or glamping at The Loft just down the road, it's worth checking what's on before you book - you might combine it with a walk or a village pint in Forres itself.

Bring your phone to check current exhibition details before heading over, as opening hours and admission fees aren't always straightforward. Aberdeenshire galleries can be a bit sporadic with their scheduling, so a quick call ahead saves a wasted trip. On a rainy Highland afternoon, though, this beats sitting in a cafe.