The Ship Inn

The catch of the day could be Shetland hake in the restaurant or nifty fielding on the sands at this pub-with-rooms overlooking the Firth of Forth, with its own beach cricket team. Owned by Rachel and Graham Bucknall, it is a sister venture to The Bridge Inn at Ratho (see Shortlist), and is renowned for its fish and chips, best enjoyed in the salty fresh air as the home team go in to bat against the Obolensky’s Heroes or the Battersea Badgers. Two Sea Dog rooms, one on the ground floor with a walk-in shower, are, indeed, dog-friendly. Trade up to a sea-view Captain’s room with soft blue tongue-and-groove wall, white shutters, a walk-in shower, or pull rank and ask for the top-floor, bay-view Admiral room with a roll-top bath and separate shower. All rooms have an espresso machine, Laura Thomas bath products. There is a short menu of pub favourites and more imaginative dishes – harissa-spiced Cromarty lamb, say, with a spicy chickpea and tomato casserole, or baba ganoush. An award-winning breakfast includes a full Scottish with tattie scone and haggis, eggs Florentine, a Mull Cheddar omelette or kippers.