The Bridge Inn at Ratho

Walk along the ‘pretty’ towpath of the historic Union Canal and look in on the ‘huge, interesting’ walled garden in the grounds of Ratho Hall – ‘it’s the source of much of the delightful food you’ll eat’ at Graham and Rachel Bucknall’s ‘characterful’ restaurant-with-rooms on the water. The heart of this pretty village, the ‘lively’ pub has ‘smart’ public rooms warmed by open fires, a ‘many-windowed’ dining room overlooking the canal, a terrace for alfresco meals; ‘an easy, informal air’ throughout. Upstairs, the bedrooms are neatly rustic, with modern touches. ‘Ours was small, but not cramped, with a large, comfortable bed (only one bedside table and lamp, though). The good-sized bathroom had fluffy towels, a deep freestanding bath, Scottish-made toiletries.’ Food in the ‘popular’ restaurant doesn’t get more local, with those home-grown vegetables, and pork from the rare breed pigs raised just across the canal. It’s all ‘delicious’: rolled pork loin, toasted oats, roast apple sauce at dinner; home-made sausages and tattie scones at a ‘generous’ breakfast. Summer Sundays, take a lunch cruise up the canal – a real sailor’s delight.