‘The very-much-in-evidence hosts, Scott and Stephanie Meikle, have transformed this remote property’ into a ‘very well equipped and designed’ restaurant-with-rooms. Admirers this year were enchanted by this ‘excellent, small, remote hotel’ surrounded by uninhabited moorland and peat bog, where service is ‘professional and unobtrusive’. The hosts usher guests in with a warm welcome, ‘even extending dinner for an hour when my train was delayed’. A ‘modern, well-appointed bedroom’ had a king-size bed, fresh milk in the fridge and binoculars for wildlife viewing; also ‘a small decanter of local malt whisky, chocolates and Steph’s oatmeal biscuits’. In the ‘comfortable, airy and characterful public rooms’, guests enjoy a small Munro of books and board games. Dinner is ‘exceptional and reasonably priced’. The hostess/chef’s daily-
changing menus include seared Gartmorn duck, 
duck croquette, asparagus; almond cream, peach 
relish. A ‘generous’ breakfast is similarly ‘impressive’. 
Walkers setting out in the morning can ask for a packed lunch. ‘A special stay in a special place.’ (Stephen and Pauline Glover, Geoffrey Bignell)