Shieldaig Lodge

With ‘wonderful views’ of Loch Gairloch, this Victorian hunting lodge on a wooded estate where falconry, fishing and deer stalking can all be laid on for guests now accepts dogs in its bedrooms and bar. A sister hotel to Widbrook Grange, Bradford-on-Avon (see entry), it ticks every box for a sporty Highland retreat, from the blazing log fires, deep leather sofas and tartan and tweed furnishings to the 250 whiskies in the bar. Antique-furnished bedrooms range from cosy to a suite with a four-poster, separate lounge, in-room roll-top bath and loch-facing bay window. ‘The lawn runs down to the shore and we saw seals, an otter, heron and curlew, all from our room.’ Several bathrooms have been upgraded, and a new mains water system means more powerful showers. Jerome Prodanu uses estate and home-grown produce, with shellfish from the loch, to compose each night’s menu. ‘We enjoyed cod fillet with cauliflower risotto and beetroot cream with lobster sauce; duck with braised Brussels sprouts, mushroom duxelles and Provençal sauce.’ In all, ‘fantastic location, unpretentious hotel, excellent staff and very good food’. (Bruce Wilson, DB)