Overlooking the water towards Mull, in a 'wonderful location near the sea and harbour', this hotel on the Hebridean island of Iona has a deserved reputation for its warm welcome, fresh and creative food, and feel of restorative peace.

Sam Mercer Nairne and his Bordeaux-born wife, Claire, have created something very special at this picturesque cottage-orné -style Georgian coaching inn on the Lansdowne's estate. The hotel, pub and anglers' dream has lovely bedrooms seamlessly blending the old and new, and French-accented, seasonal estate-to-plate menus in bar and dining room.

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.

It's been more than 20 years since Susannah and Stuart Macpherson opened the doors of this beautiful Georgian building to guests, and they still take great pride in providing a friendly, warm welcome along with good food and wine.

With distant views to the Orkney Islands, and with the ferry just half a mile away, this unusual, eco-friendly, dog-friendly B&B is perfect for guests who want space, privacy and imaginative food morning and evening.

With porte cochère, crenellated tower and fine Victorian interiors, this country house overlooking Loch Portree is redolent of the history of the Macdonald family, who have lived there for more than 200 years.

Abundant wildlife, dark skies, a scenic golf course and white-sand beaches attract guests to this owner-run island guest house with large, comfortable bedrooms and excellent cooking.

Hikers and cyclists stop for the simple comforts of this busy, bustling 160-year-old coaching inn offering comfortable rooms, good food and friendly staff in a village on the Great Glen Way.

On the north-west coast of the Isle of Lewis, Elaine Fothergill and Richard Inger invite you to their traditional Hebridean farmhouse to switch off, unwind and relax.

Garry Watson cooks up a storm at this exceptional restaurant with smart and stylish bedrooms, in a coastal hamlet close to beautiful Lunan Bay.

Expect a cheerful welcome at this pub with rooms, which stands by a bridge over the Union Canal in a conservation village.

There are shimmering views across Scapa Flow and the Southern Orkney islands from every table in the restaurant at this hotel, which offers a short menu of locally sourced dishes and smart contemporary bedrooms.

If you don't see owners Amanda and Niall Leveson Gower around their small hotel, they may be at sister venture Hamersay House, or out diving for scallops and gathering mussels for supper.

There are glorious sea views across Asknish Bay to the Sound of Jura and the Inner Hebrides from the restaurant and from bedrooms with deck or balcony at this remote, dog-friendly hotel, built for Victorian tea Baron J Arthur Campbell, who planted the National Trust Arduaine Garden next door.

Walkers, kayakers and wildlife watchers are in their element at this dog-friendly, welcoming inn with views to the Isle of Bute, moorings for the waterborne, bedrooms supplied with home-baked shortbread and fresh coffee, and a dining room serving seasonal produce cooked with flair.

In the vast, remote, elemental landscape of Assynt, this 19th-century coaching inn overlooking Loch Glendhu is today a dog-friendly modern hotel with simple, smart bedrooms, and magical vistas from the restaurant, where short menus showcase meat from local crofters and freshly landed seafood.

A former shooting and fishing lodge for Closeburn Castle, with 1930s Art Deco touches, this is now a well-established country-house hotel, with a small garden spa, traditionally styled bedrooms, and a restaurant serving a short menu of rustic dishes strong on local produce.

A stately presence on the market square, the Girdwoods' Georgian townhouse has attractive, traditionally styled bedrooms, including a family suite, a conservatory sitting room and a spacious breakfast room looking onto the flower-filled walled rear garden.

In a sleepy village six miles from the border, Katrina and William Reynolds's relaxing, family-friendly and affordable inn blends the feel of a traditional country pub with modern furnishings and artworks, while imaginative locally sourced dishes can be enjoyed in the restaurant or garden pod.

Walkers returning to this restaurant with rooms on the shores of Loch Earn, in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, can dine from short, ambitious menus of classically inspired modern Scottish cooking, and watch ospreys from one of the comfortable, traditionally styled loch-view bedrooms.

An affordable, modern B&B on the Moray Firth, just across the road from the beach, Sunny Brae has light and airy bedrooms, sun-trap garden, and good breakfasts.

Pheasants wander the enclosed gardens and woodland of this stone-built Victorian house, within easy walking distance of the town.

With possibly the best location in Portree, this former Victorian shooting lodge has spectacular views over the bay and Sound of Raasay to the Cuillin mountains. Now a family-run hotel, it has smart contemporary bedrooms and serves locally sourced, traditional dishes along with the views.

In the shadow of Stirling Castle, overlooking a leafy square, this detached Victorian villa is home to the fine-dining Orangery restaurant and very handsome traditional bedrooms, two with a four-poster, as well as a comfy sitting room where a slap-up afternoon tea can be enjoyed by the log burner.

Interiors at this dog-friendly, intensely characterful inn in a historic conservation village are a riot of granny's attic eccentricity, while bedrooms next door are large, light and contemporary, with swish bathrooms; a weekly changing menu features pub favourites, shooting packages can be arranged, and golfers get special rates at Gleneagles.

Friendly, helpful staff win praise at this 19th-century town-centre hotel, with contemporary bedrooms, some with views of the River Tweed, some in a more modern annexe, a lounge for afternoon tea, a bistro for informal dining, and a wide-ranging menu served under the chandeliers in the restaurant.

One of the world's most beautiful drives, along the North Coast 500, brings you to a fishing village and this hotel in a former Edwardian house just steps from the links, with comfortable, characterful bedrooms and bistro-style food.