The Bridge Inn

This canal-side inn makes the most of its idyllic waterside location, catering for boaters, cyclists and ramblers using the tree-lined Union Canal. The inn even has two floating restaurants on renovated barges, which travel the popular waterway most weekends. 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 bistro offers a menu created from local produce: maybe saddleback pork belly with haggis bonbons and orange and vinegar emulsion followed by a duo of Sutherland venison with baby pear, red wine, mash, greens and chocolate chilli oil, and then cooked and set Scottish cream with toasted pine nut praline and berry compôte for dessert. Lunch includes lighter options such as Cullen skink followed by home-made pie of the week.