Airds

North of Oban there is a little peninsula flanked by lochs Creran & Linnhe with the hamlet of Port Appin sitting at the western tip, looking across to the isle of Lismore & the hills of Mull & Morvern beyond. Consequently Airds at Port Appin offers one of the great Scottish restaurant experiences as you can linger in the conservatory before dinner & look out to distant mountains before being beckoned into the dining room (also with a view) for some of the best food on the west coast. Dinner comes as four courses (£49.50) but with a far degree of choice. You could kick off with some local oysters – either “au natural” or poached with a herb veloute – then cream of tomato & rosemary soup. The main might be braised shank of lamb with truffle mash, rosemary & Madeira sauce; prune & Armagnac souffle for dessert. Coffee & petit fours in the lounge; house wine won’t break the bank; smart-casual attire required at the very least.