Stunningly located on a Georgian square and formerly home to the Scottish Royal Automobile Club (SRAC), this grandly proportioned building has been lavishly transformed into a snazzy boutique hotel, complete with a spa and palatial salon. The restaurant and cocktail bar occupy what was the magisterial SRAC ballroom – a mix of period splendour and ultra-modern chic with mighty white columns, black lampshades and U-shaped banquettes creating an easy-going vibe. Rare-breed steaks, seared tuna loin and marinated pork chops are given the Josper grill treatment, but the kitchen also tackles some more elaborate stuff – witness hand-dived scallops with cauliflower and lemon risotto, roast turbot fillet with creamed spinach, grape gel and white wine sauce or wild Scottish venison with juniper infusion. Finish with Scottish organic cheeses or a ‘wee taster’ of treacle tart and crème brûlée with poached prunes.