Up to No 1 as recommendations flood in. "Please include the little-known Craigieburn Garden near Moffat (on the A708 to St Mary's Loch), a garden owned by Janet Wheatcroft situated in a deep wooded gorge and largely created by gardener Datenji Sherp
a who came to Scotland from Nepal," says Robert E Stewart from Merchiston. "He has filled the garden with Himalayan plants and has some seeds and plants for sale in his nursery." Elizabeth Roberts has praised its spruce-based products shop Zacharry's at 25 Well Street, following mentions for the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall and Colvin Fountain, adding to praise as a classic Victorian spa town and for its boating pond and sweet shop.
DUNKELD, Perthshire: Its cathedral was named as a great place to get married by Alastair Dalton, one of Dunkeld's biggest fans, and the area is often listed in best-walk categories. Also good for toilets, farm shops and skimming stones – and praised for the folly at The Hermitage and the ospreys at Loch of the Lowes. You would need at least a two-day visit to fit in all the times Dunkeld has been recommended!
NORTH BERWICK, East Lothian: Fell to No 3 as no-one defended the harbour toilets branded "disgraceful". But still favoured as a sailing base, to add to mentions in best view, Italian restaurant, farm shop, independent wine shop, dive site and walk.
ST ANDREWS, Fife: Regular mentions for golf and in a host of other categories, including best ice-cream (Jannetta's), best spot for star-gazing, best boating pond, best cheese shop (Mellis) and best small cinema. Beaches have often been praised, too.
BRIDGE OF ALLAN, Stirlingshire: Named as one of the best Victorian spa towns, but also praised for its food and drink – featured in best deli, fish and chips, ice-cream and independent wine shops.
The full article contains 313 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.