Knockinaam Lodge

When the Knockinaam brochure mentions 'rock and roll' as one of the hotel's attractions, rest assured that musical evenings with AC/DC are not on the agenda. The reference is to the rolling of the surf against the rocks of the Galloway coastline beneath the lodge. The location is tranquillity at its purest. There are 30 acres of gardens and woodland, a private strip of shore from which to gaze over towards Ireland, and a dining room done in restful pastels of orange and peach. So secluded is it that Sir Winston Churchill met General Eisenhower here in the dark days of war. When it comes to dinner, you won't even be subjected to the rigour of choosing (other than between cheese or dessert), as the drill is a daily-changing set menu. Tony Pierce has perfected an understated style of classical Scottish cooking, with one or two modern flourishes along the way. It's the kind of approach that knows when to leave well alone, so you might begin with a simply grilled fillet of salmon, served with nothing other than a relish of coriander pesto. A soup follows, perhaps butterbean and parsley with a topping of white truffle oil, and then the main meaty business, where stops are pulled out. Roast cannon of local lamb might appear with pomme purée, root veg and a little 'bonbon' of haggis, richly sauced with port and rosemary. If you're not in the market for the excellent British and French cheeses with walnut and sultana bread, the sweet alternative could be pear and almond tart with praline ice cream, Amaretto sabayon and vanilla custard.

From A75, follow signs to Portpatrick, follow tourist signs to Knockinaam Lodge
Nearest station: Stranraer

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