Killiecrankie House Hotel

This white-painted Victorian manse gleams amidst woodland at the Pass of Killiecrankie, the gateway to The Highlands. This magnificent gorge, famed for the battle in 1689 when the Jacobites routed the forces of King William III, is a stronghold for red squirrels and a renowned birdwatching area. There are countless walks into the hills, including majestic Ben Vrackie rising behind the hotel, riverside walks and the nearby lochs in the Tummel Valley, with a garland of shapely mountains. Standing in a four-acre estate, the hotel retains much of its old character and successfully blends it with modern comforts. The cosy, wood-panelled bar is a popular haunt, while the snug sitting room opens on to a small patio. Arm yourself with a beer from the likes of Orkney or Belhaven as you study a menu that makes the most of Scotland's diverse produce and which has gained the restaurant two AA Rosettes.