Kirkcudbright

Artists have long been drawn here for good reason. The light off the Solway Firth has this particular quality that changes throughout the day, casting Kirkcudbright's Georgian facades and cobbled streets in ever-shifting hues. This little town punches well above its weight culturally - it's been called Scotland's artists' town since the early 1900s.

The harbour still works properly, with fishing boats bobbing alongside the yachts. Walk down to the water and you'll understand why the Glasgow Boys and their contemporaries set up easels here. The Memorial to William Nicholson marks one of the town's most celebrated artistic residents, while galleries like Rosnes Bench continue the creative tradition.

Beyond the town itself, the Solway coast offers proper adventure. Castle Haven Bay delivers excellent swimming when the weather's kind, and the archaeological sites scattered across the landscape tell stories going back millennia. Barmagachan Motte and Roberton Motte are worth seeking out if you fancy a bit of history with your walking.

From higher ground like Plunton Hill or Mork Hill, the views stretch across to the Lake District on clear days. The Cup & Ring Marked Rock provides another excuse for a good walk with ancient mystery thrown in.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around Brighouse Bay or further along the coast makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for dinner but far enough out to wake up to proper countryside silence. The A711 connects everything easily enough, and you're only about 30 minutes from the A75 if you need to reach the wider world.