‘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.’ High praise for Shaun and Jenny McKivragan’s hotel beside Loch Linnhe with views to the Morvern mountains. What started life as an early 18th-century ferry inn is today a chic gourmet destination (Relais & Châteaux). Individually designed, ‘clean and comfortable’ bedrooms have designer fabrics and wallpaper, Frette linen, Bulgari toiletries, robes, slippers, whisky mac. Most have a loch view, two a balcony, one a suntrap patio. This is a family-friendly place, with high tea for under-eights. ‘Everything is so personal.’ Guests can take a cream tea by the fire in one of the lounges, or alfresco. The restaurant’s ‘really talented chef’, Calum Innes, exploits West Coast and home-grown produce. ‘The freshest fish and shellfish we’ve ever had.’ Typical dishes: pan-seared monkfish, cauliflower, leeks, pommes galette; fillet of Scottish beef, pommes Anna, wild garlic. Breakfast delivers freshly squeezed juices, bannocks, Ayrshire bacon, Finnan haddock, free-range eggs. ‘Would certainly return.’ (Barbara Watkinson, FM, SS)