Virgin and Child

You'll find this small but striking painting tucked away in the Highlands near Nairn, and it's the sort of artwork that stops you mid-visit. The Virgin and Child is a genuine medieval gem - the kind of piece that makes you realise how much religious art shaped Scottish culture centuries ago. The work itself demands attention: the detail in the figures, the devotional intensity, the way it's been preserved all these years. It's not a grand cathedral or a sprawling collection, so don't expect to spend half a day here. An hour tops, probably less if you're moving quickly. What you're really doing is paying your respects to a piece of history that most people walking past Nairn would never know existed.

This works best for anyone with a genuine interest in medieval art or Scottish religious heritage. If you're dragging reluctant teenagers round galleries, this one won't hold them - it's scholarly, quiet, and demands you actually look at what's in front of you. History buffs and art types, though, will find it worthwhile. The admission situation isn't entirely clear from what I can find, so ring ahead before you head over.

If you're basing yourself at Barrow Campsite just outside Nairn, this is a straightforward addition to your itinerary - close enough not to be a slog, but rewarding enough to justify the stop. Pair it with a walk round Nairn itself or the local coastal spots, and you've got a solid morning sorted.