Kirkcudbright

Artists have been drawn to this corner of Galloway for generations, and you'll see why the moment you round the bend into the harbour. Kirkcudbright sits pretty on the Dee estuary, its Georgian houses painted in soft pastels that catch the light beautifully. The old tolbooth dominates the high street - a proper Scottish burgh town that's managed to keep its soul intact.

Wander down to the harbour and you're looking across to Little Ross island, where the lighthouse has been guiding ships since 1843. Ross Bay stretches out to your left, a decent sweep of sand that's lovely for a walk when the tide's out. The water here can be bracingly cold, mind you, but that's half the charm of the Solway coast.

Senwick Church tells a different story - this ancient site has watched over the countryside for centuries, its graveyard full of weathered stones that speak of lives lived close to the sea. For a proper walk, head into Bridghthouse Plantation where the trees provide shelter from the coastal winds.

Getting here takes a bit of planning. The A75 brings you most of the way from Dumfries, then it's a scenic detour south through rolling farmland. Castle Douglas is your nearest proper town, about twenty minutes inland, but honestly, you'll want to linger here rather than rush off elsewhere.

Staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around the peninsula makes perfect sense. Brighouse Bay Holiday Park puts you right on the coast, while places like Auchenlarie Holiday Park give you easy access to both the town and the wider Galloway countryside. The light here changes constantly - no wonder the artists keep coming back.