
This is the old Kingdom of the Scots and birthplace of Gaelic culture with spectacular landscapes of bays, glens and rolling lowlands peppered with charming villages; the mountains of Lorn sweep down to the fishing town of Oban, gateway to the Western Isles.
Restaurants in Argyll and Bute draw on supplies from local farms, estates and fisheries for a contemporary repertoire of modern Scottish, European, Traditional and Seafood cuisine.
Airds HotelA converted and greatly extended ferry inn by the shores of Loch Linnhe is the setting for this stylish, personally run hotel.
Port Appin, Appin, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Craigard HouseA recently converted Victorian mansion overlooking Campeltown Loch at the foot of the Kintyre peninsula, Craigard House still shows some of its distinctive Italianate style although it is now better known for its family hospitality and good food.
Low Askomil, Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: International
Dunvalanree HotelDunvalanree House is a delightful three-storey hotel overlooking Port Righ Bay on the Mull of Kintyre. Current hosts Alyson and Alan Milstead are continuing a tradition of hospitality that goes back more than 70 years.
Port Righ, Carradale, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern British
Willowburn HotelCross the Clachan Bridge over the Atlantic Ocean to reach Jan and Chris Wolfe's privately-run hotel with gardens running down to the quiet waters of Clachan Sound.
Seil Island, Clachan Seil, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
The Oyster InnSituated some five miles from Oban, the Oyster Inn is right at the heart of an area of outstanding natural beauty, with impressive views over Loch Etive and the Falls of Lora - where whirlpools and spectacular white water flow at the ebb and flood tides.
, Connel, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
Crinan Hotel, Westward RestaurantAt the north end of the Crinan Canal, connecting Loch Fyne to the Atlantic Ocean, the Crinan Hotel has been a focal point of the local community for some 200 years.
, Crinan By Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern European
Isle of EriskaYou could arrive by helicopter, otherwise you need to traverse a metal bridge and negotiate the lanes to reach this generously proportioned granite and sandstone baronial mansion on the privately owned island of Eriska.
Ledaig, Eriska, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Knockderry House HotelGloriously situated by the banks of stunning Loch Long (private moorings are available if you want to arrive by boat), this grand baronial hotel still retains many of its imposing architectural features - including turrets and arched doorways.
Shore Road, Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Cannon House HotelThe name and address tell their own fascinating story: this handsome Georgian townhouse was built in 1827 almost opposite what was the site of the island's first cannon battery, erected during the Civil War to ensure safe anchorage at Rothesay Bay.
5 Battery Place, Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: International
The Russian Tavern at The Port Royal HotelThe location is a centuries-old stone-built Highland village on a tiny island by the shores of Kames Bay - hardly where you would expect to find authentic Russian food and drink on offer.
37 Marine Road, Isle of Bute, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Russian
The ColonsayThe Isle of Colonsay is not only one of the most alluring and remote outposts of the Hebrides, it's also one huge playground with hills and lochs, sandy beaches and wildlife in abundance (grey seals, otters, porpoises).
, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Gigha HotelOn 15 March 2002, the people of Gigha took an historic step and bought their island, ensuring that it would be held in trust for the benefit of all.
, Isle of Gigha, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Scottish
Harbour Inn and RestaurantHard by the quayside in the little town of Bowmore, this sturdy white-painted hotel makes a great base for a stay on the Isle of Islay, with birdwatching, wildlife, fishing, walking and distillery tours just some of its attractions.
The Square, Isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Scottish
Port Charlotte HotelPort Charlotte is an attractive conservation village built around 1830, and it now provides a great base for exploring Islay's seven whisky distilleries, its rich bird life and sandy beaches.
Main Street, Isle of Islay, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Ninth Wave RestaurantThe Ninth Wave is a wee gem of a restaurant situated in a traditional 200 year old croft building on the scenic wild moors of the Isle of Mull, renowned for its rich waters and abundant wild life.
Bruach Mhor, Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
Cafe FishUltra-fresh seafood is the star of the show at Cafe Fish situated at the end of the pier, with panoramic views over Tobermory Bay to Calve island.
The Pier, Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
Calgary HotelThe silver sands of Calgary are considered to be one of Mull's finest beaches, and this hotel makes a perfect basecamp if you want to make the most of the scenery in this idyllic 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.
Dervaig, Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Highland CottageHighland Cottage is David and Jo Currie's pride and joy, a place that is very their own creation. It's also their house and home, as well as providing visitors with a very personal retreat.
Breadalbane Street, Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Tobermory Hotel, Water's Edge RestaurantConverted from a row of cottages set on the waterfront of picture-postcard Tobermory Bay, Tobermory Hotel with its Water's Edge Restaurant boast fine views over the harbour to Calve Island.
Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
The Kilberry InnOriginally a traditional 'but n ben' cottage and later the local post office, this remote inn (with a red telephone box attached!) is on a scenic – but tortuous – single-track road between the fishing village of Tarbert and Lochgilphead at the head of Loch Fyne.
, Kilberry, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Scottish
Ardanaiseig HotelBuilt in the grand baronial manner for Colonel Archibald Campbell, this stately Victorian mansion is set in glorious rambling gardens at the dead-end of a winding road by the banks of Loch Awe.
Loch Awe, Kilchrenan, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Anglo French
The Whitehouse RestaurantA breathtaking and awesomely remote location adds to the allure of this tiny little oasis of fresh seafood on the Morven peninsula.
, Lochaline, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Cairnbaan HotelLocal legend has it that the Cairnbaan was once considered the wildest pub in mid-Argyll, with goats and other animals sharing the bar with workers constructing the Crinan Canal.
Crinan Canal, Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: British
Tayvallich InnAt the end of a glorious road that winds its way alongside Loch Sween, this modern family inn overlooks boats bobbing about in the natural harbour and has stunning views out towards the Sound of Jura.
Tayvallich, Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
The Lodge on Loch Lomond, Colquhoun'sTwo US presidents have been among the visitors attracted to this hotel in a tiny village on the shores of Loch Lomond.
, Luss, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
CoastHouse in a former bank close to Oban Art Gallery and the waterfront, this aptly named restaurant has kept its sturdy granite frontage and large windows, but takes inspiration from the coast when it comes to the textiles and colours used for the interior.
104 George Street, Oban, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Ee-Usk'Ee-usk' is a phonetic translation of the Gaelic word for 'fish', so there are no prizes for guessing the main thrust of the menu in this livewire venue.
North Pier, Oban, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
Knipoch House HotelNestling beside Loch Feochan in the heart of the Argyll countryside, the Knipoch Hotel has been run by three generations of the Craig family since 1981 - although the building itself can trace its colourful history back several centuries.
, Oban, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: International
Loch Melfort HotelJaw-dropping vistas over Asknish Bay towards the Isle of Jura are just part of the appeal of this family-run hotel, which is set in one of the finest locations on Scotland's West Coast.
Arduaine, Oban, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern European
Manor House HotelBuilt in 1780 as the principal residence on the Duke of Argyll's Oban estate and later used as a dower house, this sturdy stone-built manor is a model of robust Georgian architecture.
Gallanach Road, Oban, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: International
Waterfront Restaurant'From the pier to the pan…. as fast as we can!' was the original motto of this fish restaurant on the first floor of a former seaman's mission overlooking Oban Bay.
Railway Pier, Oban, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
Pierhouse Hotel & Seafood RestaurantYou can arrive at The Pierhouse by sea if you're so inclined, since it has its own moorings at the south end of the pier (Apr-Oct only).
, Port Appin, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Seafood
Creggans InnOn a clear day you can see for miles across the waters of Loch Fyne from this remote but eminently comfortable inn.
, Strachur, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Inver CottageHoused in a one-time crofter's cottage, this diminutive restaurant and coffee house doubles as a craft shop and gallery, with lovely views out towards the mountains, the sea and the Western Isles.
Strathlaclan, Strachur, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Eclectic
Stonefield Castle HotelSet in 60 acres of enchanting woodland gardens on the shores of Loch Fyne, Stonefield was built in 1837 as a castle in the grand Scottish baronial style.
Loch Fyne, Tarbert, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
Taychreggan HotelA seventeenth-century, whitewashed drovers' inn surrounded by 40 acres of grounds is the setting for this enchanting hotel, which also has the bonus of a glorious setting on a spit of land that juts into the waters of Loch Awe.
Kilchrenan, Taynuilt, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish
The Royal an LochanFormerly the Royal Hotel, this enterprising venture sits just yards from the shores of Loch Fyne overlooking the Cowal Peninsula and the Kyles of Bute.
Shore Road, Tighnabruaich, Argyll and Bute - Cuisine: Modern Scottish