You can take the ferry from Oban, or hop across on a twin-propeller plane, to discover Jane and Alex Howard’s 18th-century inn, bar and village hub, on a hillside overlooking the harbour.

'A real star, we enjoyed our stay,' enthuse Guide regulars, who visited several hotels on either side of this year's Scottish cruise. 'It was by far our favourite.'

‘A very special place,’ say guests in 2019, of Sian and David Ibbotson’s Victorian hunting lodge overlooking the Irish Sea. ‘The accommodating hosts went out of their way, more than once, to ensure we had a terrific time.'

‘They make you feel welcome and at home’ at Sally and David Ruthven-Fox’s dog-friendly hotel ‘by the shores of Loch Sunart and surrounded by hills’.

‘The welcome was superb, the setting magical, the staff were friendly and helpful,’ writes a reader in 2019, of Lord and Lady Macdonald’s former hunting lodge on the shores of Loch Na Dal.

In a beautiful location overlooking the Sound of Vaila, on Shetland’s remote west coast, this 18th-century laird’s house, altered and extended, offers a home-from-home experience.

‘A comfortable and friendly base,’ writes a trusted Guide reader and first-time visitor to Susannah and Stuart Macpherson's ‘really lovely’ Highlands hotel.

‘Our stay at William and Sonia Marshall’s delightful small country house could not have been bettered,’ wrote happy readers. ‘We so enjoyed their warm, friendly, personal service.’

'Derek and Celia are skilled and charming hosts. We cannot speak too highly of them.’ Warm approval this year from a Guide reader, for the Kitchingmans' restaurant-with-rooms in a converted Victorian tweed mill.

Sit on the decking at this former 17th-century coaching inn overlooking Loch Glendhu, and watch basking seals – or supper being landed on the old ferry slipway.

There is whisky galore on this Inner Hebrides island; bonhomie in the bar of this friendly hotel.

Lang may the lums reek at this remote restaurant-with-rooms on the shores of Loch Dunvegan. After 34 years, Shirley and Eddie Spear have moved on, but all is well.

Beyond ‘splendid wrought iron gates’, a ‘beautifully wooded half-mile drive’ leads to Paul and Poppy Szkiler’s towered and turreted Victorian pile, with a fountain ‘dominating the forecourt'.

‘A rare combination of relaxed professionalism, with high standards from Angus and Jane Fordyce, made us feel very cared for.’

'Stunning hotel, stunning views.’ A reader this year endorses John and Sylvia Matthews’s restaurant-with-rooms in an Edwardian manor house overlooking the Tweed valley

Chef/patron Fabrice Bouteloup loves working with game at this coaching-inn turned restaurant-with-rooms in the rural village of 'Mew-thil'. Bag a bird and he’ll cook it for you.

Some retirees get a gold watch. The Countess of Seafield did her estate manager, John Smith, rather better, commissioning this handsome house for him in 1910.

A contemporary Arts and Crafts-style house, in large grounds on the edge of a conservation village, is home to Ann and Alf Berry’s ‘tranquil’ B&B.

‘Top of the range in every respect.’ Much praise from a Guide stalwart after this year's visit to the MacRobert Trust’s ‘wonderful’ hotel bordering the Cairngorms national park.

A ‘little jewel’ in a secluded setting, this small baronial mansion is enveloped by sweeping manicured lawns within acres of woodland.

‘In a superb position overlooking Badcall Bay’, this 18th-century church manse-turned-hotel gains a full entry at the urging of readers and a Guide inspector.

After a day spent fishing on the River Tweed, golfing or walking, a warm welcome awaits at this ‘excellent’, well-established 18th-century hotel on the High Street of a pretty Borders town.

‘The moment you walk in it is obvious that care, interest and real flair have been shown in the decoration. We loved the unusual clocks and knick-knacks.’

A welcoming sanctuary, Kate and Gordon Innes’s hotel was built in the early 19th century by French prisoners of war. It is now a popular spot for afternoon teas, cocktail evenings.