Glenan Lodge Self Catering

From the genuine, professional service to the array of quality seafood, there is a lot to love about this smart restaurant decorated with a wicker shoal hanging from the ceiling and photos of fishermen on the walls. Fabulous produce, much of it Scottish, powers dishes that accentuate the flavours of their core ingredient with a few well-judged, finely made accompaniments – such as Shetland halibut accompanied by slow roasted tomatoes and salsa verde. As always with the best seafood restaurants, keep an eye on the specials board for more fresh delights.

Situated on the banks of Upper Loch Torridon with majestic mountains in the background and manicured gardens outside, this vibrantly decorated restaurant inside The Torridon hotel is in a truly stunning location. Exceptional Highlands produce is the bedrock of superbly balanced dishes that could be either classic or original in their make-up: from day-boat John Dory with a sublime roast chicken sauce, to the clever combination of white chocolate and rocket with preserved brambles. An extensive global whisky collection adds to the appeal.

Their tagline, ‘taste nature’s larder’, says it all at this restaurant housed inside The Lovat Hotel, a lovingly restored country house at the gateway to Loch Ness. The interior, decked out in greens and browns, brings the outdoors in, while the cooking is all about the best Scottish produce – be that vegetables from the garden, foraged mushrooms or Highland lamb. The traditional beremeal and treacle bannock bread is a signature, made with grains milled on-site. English wine is a focus of the list, rather than big-name regions from further afield.

Forming part of The Macallan Estate, this is a beautiful restaurant from top to bottom. It sits on the first floor of the futuristic distillery, with floor-to-ceiling windows affording Speyside views that are just as stunning as the open kitchen, the whisky wall and the wine cellar. There’s immaculate presentation in the cooking too, on a menu overseen by the Roca brothers from the famed El Celler de Can Roca in Girona. Their signature ‘Lactic’ dessert makes an appearance, as do several nods to Scotland. Go for the whisky pairing, as it seems appropriate here.

Queen Victoria made this area fashionable when she started visiting Balmoral Castle in the 1840s, and this restaurant inside The Fife Arms hotel certainly has its own brand of eclectic chic. Murano chandeliers hang from the ceiling and a huge stag oversees proceedings, while the staff are dressed in tartan that matches the cubist painted walls. Come in winter and you'll be welcomed by the glowing embers of the fire. Prime Scottish ingredients from lobster to venison are presented in classical dishes that often incorporate the smoky aromas of a wood fire.

As the name suggests, this restaurant is housed in the former manse to the nearby Blair Castle. This building is impressive in itself, a substantial property situated within 10 acres of grounds and boasting a restored walled garden. The restaurant occupies a newly built orangery, which despite the country house feel to the surroundings has a pleasingly relaxed air. The cooking is Scottish to the core, with produce like Skye langoustine and Perthshire mallard used in dishes with nothing superfluous on the plate. Add in the rooms and chatty service and you have a perfect base for exploring the H

There is a luxurious feel to this smartly renovated pub, where the cooking mixes the modern with the traditional. Among the well-executed dishes on the menu are some contemporary choices alongside recognisable classics like rib-eye steak, fish & chips and chicken liver parfait. Come at lunchtime to enjoy their classically served haggis, neaps and tatties, which is a real treat. Four bedrooms, cosy sitting rooms and an immaculate terrace complete the very pretty picture.