The best Scottish pubs - according to the Good Pub Guide

"Placed right in the middle of the scenic grandeur of Glencoe, this isolated pub is a welcoming place to come into if you've been out touring the area or tackling one of the challenging mountain walks nearby.

"You'll often encounter hikers, mountain bikers and climbers swapping stories of the day's experiences over a pint by the log fire in the Boots Bar, which hosts live bands on Saturday nights.

"There's also a pine-panelled, slate-floored snug and a lounge with walls hung with photos signed by famous climbers."

PLOCKTON HOTEL

Best pub food in Scotland

Plockton Hotel boasts comfortable furnishings

"This much-liked hotel occupies a row of waterfront houses in a National Trust for Scotland conservation village on a sheltered bay on Loch Carron.

"With a buoyant, bustling atmosphere, the comfortably furnished lounge bar has window seats looking out to boats on the water, as well as antiqued dark-red leather seating around neat Regency-style tables on a tartan carpet, three model ships set into the woodwork, and partly-panelled stone walls. Tables in the front garden look out past the village's palm trees."

MOULIN HOTEL, PITLOCHRY

New entry

Own-brew and nicely pubby

"The four own-brew ales here are very well kept in this hotel in the village square: Ale of Atholl, Braveheart, Light and the stronger Old Remedial served here on handpump are brewed in the little stables across the street.

"They also have about 40 malt whiskies and a good choice of wines by the glass and carafe.

"Nicely pubby, with plenty of character."

THE ANDERSON, FORTROSE

New entry

Fine food and drink

"The fine range of drinks and particularly good food are making quite a name for this former coaching inn in a quiet seaside village.

"It's run by a friendly, approachable American couple who have tremendous enthusiasm for what they do.

"Mr Anderson loves beer and has one of the largest collections of Belgian beers in the UK."

SLIGACHAN HOTEL, SKYE

UK whisky pub of the year

Skye's Sligachan Hotel wins praise for its Cuillins location

"Its position right in the heart of the Cuillins is good reason to seek out this climbers' haunt - it has some of the most testing walks in Britain on its doorstep.

"The huge modern pine-clad main bar, is spaciously open to its ceiling rafters.

"The splendid range of 300 malt whiskies make a most impressive display behind the bar counter at one end, where they also serve their own Cuillin Black Face, Eagle, Glamaig, Pinnacle, Skye and guest beers such as Caledonian Deuchars IPA."