Monachyle Mhor

Relaxed, family-run gourmet bolthole, with lashings of style at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands

Travelling to this snug gourmet retreat is almost as much fun as arriving there: you snake four miles through woods along the edge of Loch Voil, enjoying the snow-capped peaks of the Trossachs around you. Or, if you’re feeling flush, you can arrive by sea plane on the loch in front of the stone farmhouse and down a glass of champers on the shore. There’s history here too: this glen is the home of the MacLaren and MacGregor clans, and the most notorious MacGregor of them all, Rob Roy, is buried in the churchyard nearby.

Once you reach Monachyle Mhor you’ll be reluctant to stir. Inspirational gastronomy, stylish design and a personal welcome make this a truly special place. It’s run by siblings Tom, Dick and Melanie who were all raised here on what started off as a farm and is now a bijou gastro-bolthole that foodies and design aficionados traipse to from afar. The 2,000-acre farm, its produce, and the Lewis’ infectious enthusiasm remain firmly at the heart of Monachyle. You’ll find it hard to leave.

Highs

• The food is superb – well presented without being fussy, and bursting with taste and inspiration
• 14 quiet rooms with cutting-edge design and oodles of funk factor within the original stone farm buildings
• You can't get much more remote in the UK – and yet it’s only 90 minutes' drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh
• An atmosphere that’s intimate and friendly, yet also has a touch of Kensington sophistication

Lows

• The snug little bar is the only nightlife here, so you’ll have to provide your own
• Not really geared up for children, except tinies
• Not for budget travellers (food and drink costs mount up and portions can be small), nor for those seeking an old-fashioned Scottish tartan experience
• If you're on a romantic break, be aware that some double beds are singles zipped together
• The Highlands can be cold at any time of year