Anderson, The

A restaurant with rooms on the beautiful Black Isle, just 10 miles from Inverness; it is owned and operated by Jim and Anne Anderson, originally from America, who offer a truly international menu that changes daily in order to take advantage of the vast range of local produce and wildlife at their peak of flavour.

The locals should be extremely grateful that they decided to land up there, as they have created exactly the sort of real, neighbourhood restaurant/gastropub that everywhere needs, and their combination of really interesting food combined with extremely reasonable prices should be a winning one.

You could certainly have a very full meal for £19, amazing enough value for nowadays, but a dish like their everyday beef and ale stew - a rich, traditional stew of Scotch sirloin simmered with Belgian-brewed Scotch Ale and served over tender barley is only £7; Cajun Blackened Ostrich Steak for £10.75; or a beef, chicken or veggie burger, described by them as 'Our beef burgers are 6oz American-style burgers made with ground steak, no fillers and are grilled to order to medium doneness unless you tell us otherwise; our chicken burgers are boneless breast fillets and the veggie burgers are suitable for vegan diets, yet curiously meat-like; toppings may be added to any of our burgers at no extra charge', and only £4.95.

Their hospitality can be enjoyed in casual candlelight all year around. The Lounge features 160 single-malt whiskies and well-tended real ales, as well as Scotland's largest selection of gourmet Belgian beers. There are nine guest rooms upstairs and an outdoor beer garden during the warm months.