The Beacon

The Beacon sits right on the waterfront at Helensburgh, a converted Victorian tower that's been given new life as a gallery space. It's not a massive operation - you're looking at a couple of hours max - but it punches above its weight for a rainy afternoon on the Clyde coast.

Inside, you'll find rotating exhibitions of contemporary art and local work. The real draw, though, is the top floor. You get proper views across the Firth of Clyde towards Dunoon, and on a clear day the light does something rather lovely to the water. The spiral staircase up is a bit of a climb, mind you, so not ideal if you've got very small children in tow.

It works well as part of a broader mooch around Helensburgh itself - the town's got decent enough shops and cafes, and the seafront walk is pleasant enough. If you're staying at Rosneath Castle Caravan Park just down the road, this makes an easy pop-in without needing to venture far. The gallery's free to wander through most of the time, though it's worth checking what's on before you go - sometimes the exhibition schedule can be a bit thin during winter months.

Worth the visit? If you're in the area anyway, yes. If you're planning a special trip just for the gallery, probably not. But as part of a Helensburgh day out, it ticks a box.