The Kelpie Studio

The Kelpie Studio sits just outside Peterhead and is worth a stop if you're into contemporary art and Scottish craft. It's a working studio and gallery space - the kind of place where you can actually see artists at their benches, which makes it feel less sterile than your typical white-box gallery.

The work here leans heavily into Scottish themes and mythology, with an emphasis on printmaking and sculpture. If you're familiar with kelpie folklore - those shape-shifting water horses from Highland legends - you'll get extra mileage from some of the pieces. Even if you're not, the technical skill on display is genuinely impressive.

It's not a massive operation, so don't expect to lose three hours here. Give yourself 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how much you want to chat with whoever's working. The studio vibe means staff actually know their material, which beats the disinterested gallery attendant every time.

Families with older kids will find it engaging; younger ones might get restless quickly. Solo travellers and anyone interested in contemporary Scottish art will get the most from it. If you're staying at Peterhead Marina Bay Holiday Park, it's practically on your doorstep and makes a good rainy-day option or a break from the beach.

Best to ring ahead about opening hours and whether there's an admission charge - details are thin on the ground, but small studios like this are usually free or charge a couple of quid.