Inn at Port nan Gael

Located way out west in a picture-postcard location overlooking the Isle of Mull across the water, this comforting restaurant is unsurprisingly painted all in white. Inside, it’s a cute, cosy spot where yet more white-painted walls are enlivened by eye-catching prints and shelves of cookery books. The menu reflects the seasons and the area well, with plenty of fine Scottish produce leading the way, be it Tobermory trout or Highland lamb rump. For dessert, don’t overlook a soufflé if it’s on offer.

Situated close to mainland Britain’s most westerly point, the Ardnamurchan peninsula, Mingary Castle is the result of years of restoration work on the original 13th-century building that had been in ruins for over 100 years. Located down miles of single-track roads, it’s a remote yet utterly spectacular location. Today, a hotel and restaurant sit inside the one-time castle, with the latter serving a set menu of robust, hearty and traditionally based cooking, utilising local produce like venison from their own estate.

As locations go, it’s hard to beat: find a spot on the terrace to watch the ferry chugging across the loch and stay the night to wake up to the fabulous view. The modern dining room with its bay windows provides a great vantage point too, providing the perfect accompaniment to the seafood-focused cooking. Traditional dishes like Cullen skink and fish pie lead the way, while the sharing platter is the best way to go if you want to taste as much fresh Scottish fish and shellfish as possible.

This former crofter’s cottage and boat store sits in a beautifully isolated spot on the shores of Loch Fyne. Sit on sheepskin-covered armchairs for a cocktail in the lounge-bar, then take in the view from the contemporary restaurant, where concise modern menus are led by the finest local and foraged ingredients, such as mackerel fished from the Loch itself – even the tea is grown at nearby Tighnabruich. The excellent non-alcoholic pairing includes homemade sodas and kombuchas, while luxurious bothy-style bedrooms are available if you want to explore the area further.

‘Seasgair’ means ‘warm and cosy’ in Gaelic, and diners will certainly feel cosseted in the impressive Inverlochy Castle. The whole experience is like stepping back in time to the country houses of old. Begin with an aperitif in the Grand Hall, accompanied by live music, before taking your seat in one of the elegant dining rooms. A 5 course set menu is served to everyone at the same time with canapés on arrival. Michel Roux Jr’s influence on the menu sees classic French dishes combined with the Scottish ingredients.

Cameron House, perched on the shores of Loch Lomond, will always provide picturesque surroundings for a restaurant. Experienced chef Graeme Cheevers is the one currently taking advantage of the natural beauty, with this welcoming eatery decked out with a touch of glitz thanks to marble furnishings and mirrored panels on the ceiling. Cheevers’ ethos of well-sourced ingredients is on display, as are plenty of contrasting flavours and inspiration drawn from various Asian cuisines – such as squab pigeon with an umeboshi-flavoured jus.

Restaurant