The Bridge Inn

Just to the west of Edinburgh, this canal-side inn makes the most of its idyllic waterside location, catering for boaters, cyclists and ramblers using this popular waterway and basing two floating restaurants on renovated barges which ply the canal most weekends, a diverting trip on the tree-lined Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal first opened in 1820. The waterside beer garden is a popular summertime venue, where a grand selection of beers from Scotland's burgeoning micro-brewery sector is the order of the day. Inside, the Pop Inn or a brand new bar attract locals to regular quiz nights, whilst the bistro restaurant, with its equally strong commitment to Scottish produce, may include on the menu pork from the inn's own herd of saddleback pigs. Starters cover pan-seared pigeon breast and breaded Camembert, whilst mains include courgette and blue cheese fritters with chickpea salsa.