Unstuffy, informal, perhaps a touch eccentric, the Macdonald family’s ‘fabulous’ Victorian country house stands in large wooded grounds with far-reaching views of Portree Bay.

‘Everything is presented with care and style’ at Sally and David Ruthven-Fox’s small hotel on the ‘peaceful shores’ of Loch Sunart.

‘Everything is done with a smile and a bit of banter’ at Jean Urquhart’s ‘warm and welcoming’ bookshop-with-rooms, formed from a clutch of whitewashed cottages in this old fishing village.

‘We were thoroughly spoiled.’ Mena and Robyn Aitchison are much appreciated by Guide readers for the 'wonderful hospitality’ at their ‘well-located’ Georgian stone cottage-orné outside Inverness.

Steeped in stories of baronets and scandalous affairs, Susannah and Stuart Macpherson’s ‘beautiful Georgian house’ is today a ‘simply lovely hotel’ standing in extensive gardens ‘magnificent with mature trees’.

Catch sight of this ‘impressive’ Victorian hunting lodge through the trees as you approach; closer up, discover the ‘manicured grounds’ running down to Loch Snizort.

Soak in the ‘great, cosy, country-pub atmosphere’ at this log fire-warmed waterside inn, where even the resident whippet is an ‘affable character’.

Long praised for the generous hospitality of its hosts, Derek and Celia Kitchingman, this ‘very quiet’ 19th-century tweed mill-turned-restaurant-with-rooms on the banks of the River Gynack is gaining attention, too, for its food.

In ‘one of the wildest and most beautiful locations’, Tanja Lister and Sonia Virechauveix run their small hotel with ‘informal warmth’.

Between mountains and sea loch, Lesley Crosfield and Colin Craig’s restaurant-with-rooms is the UK’s most northerly Michelin-starred outpost, an accolade held by the self-taught chefs since 2009.

‘We needed a break from our busy day-to-day, and we got it.’

There are whisky and castle trails to strike out on, but begin, perhaps, with a stroll around the Matheson family’s ‘lovely’ mansion – ‘the grounds are wonderful,’ say Guide inspectors in 2017.

Ten minutes’ drive from the ferry, Anne Gracie and Ken Gunn’s whitewashed hotel has ‘fine views’ across the Sound of Sleat.

Follow the fabled Road to the Isles and pass the head of Loch Shiel to reach Ina and Kieron Kelly’s 17th-century coaching inn, today a friendly family-run hotel with ‘comfortable bedrooms’ and ‘outstanding meals’.

‘Old-fashioned in the best way’, the Harrison family’s ‘lovely, eclectic guest house’ on the shores of Loch Ewe is run by ‘friendly, informative hosts who make a real effort to ensure every guest is taken care of’.

Wooded grounds and the meandering River Forss set a tranquil scene for this Georgian hotel with strong fishing links.

The ‘splendid aroma of peat, whisky and leather’ defines this ‘impressive’ Victorian hunting lodge in a ‘glorious setting’ on Loch Gairloch.

There’s a jaunty, contemporary feel to the Cowap family’s restored Victorian shooting lodge in the Cairngorms national park.

Across the road from the sheltered harbour in this Highland village, Mags and Allan Ritchie’s modest restaurant-with-rooms is a ‘friendly, casual’ spot.

Lesley and Iain MacDonald run their B&B on the outskirts of the village, where the ‘spectacular views’ stretch over Loch Broom and the mountains beyond.

Close to the cathedral and the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, this ‘comfortable, very pleasant’ guest house is run by ‘helpful hosts’ Kerensa and Michael Carr.

‘Wonderfully remote’, Lorraine and David Hook’s small hotel is in a sleepy village reached via miles of single-track road.

Every room from Neil Hope and Lesley Unwin’s modern, architect-designed building has ‘glorious views’ of Broadford Bay and the Cuillin mountains.

Highland heritage is brought well up to date at this stylishly refurbished Victorian hunting lodge on the Isle of Skye.