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Set in the popular tourist town of Callander, close to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, The Poppies Hotel is a prominent and elegant white building surrounded by beautiful lawns and picturesque countryside. The restaurant within the hotel reflects the homeliness of the place, with a spacious and airy dining area filled with comfortable furniture, plenty of natural light and an expertly chosen menu which emphasises the range of Scottish cuisine.

The informal and friendly dining atmosphere is ably complemented by the food comprising dishes of seared West Coast scallops with cauliflower puree, black pudding and spiced citrus tomato with basil dressing, and lobster prawn terrine with asparagus salad and avocado oil. Scottish specialities of medallions of Balquhidder venison with turnip fondant, wilted spinach, caramelised shallots and Scotch broth risotto and a grilled section with dishes of fillet of Shetland salmon, plain or white wine and chive cream are also served.

The varied and delectable food is complemented by a range of fine wines and an extensive array of malt whiskeys from different parts of Scotland.

The house is located just a few hundred yards north of the highland village of Strathyre on the A84 between Callander and Balquhidder. Behind them are the forested slopes of the hills across to Glen Ample, and facing us to the west is the local 'mountain', Bein an Sidhean with the river Balvaig meandering down the glen at its feet.

Having gained experience in a number of top quality hotels, Gordon and Cherry realised their ambition to own their own restaurant when in 1986 they bought Creagan House. Now older, and a great deal wiser, they are proud to have won many awards over the years, especially the much coveted Premier Collection, Inspectors Choice 5 star award for all round excellence and two rosettes for the cuisine from the AA. They are also included in the latest Good Food Guide with an excellent 4.

A typical menu could offer maize coated veal sweetbreads with Stornoway prawns; breast of pigeon on tomato confit with braised green olives and black olive tapenade, followed by organic Orkney salmon sandwiched with foie gras and chanterelles on a bed of Savoy cabbage with sauce Albert or loin of Perthshire reared pork and liquorice with chestnuts and apple in a cider sauce.

Meals can be ended with the most wonderful puddings such as raspberry shortbread torte with mixed berry compote or apple crumble cake with fresh ginger sauce Anglaise.

The restaurant is closed for two weeks in November, and throughout February.

Callander in Perthshire is itself an attractive town situated at the confluence of two rivers in an area of outstanding natural beauty known as the Trossachs on the edge of the Scottish Highlands. The scenic surroundings combined with the numbers and variety of lochs and rivers make this a natural playground for visitors from all over the world.

Callander Meadows, a family run establishment situated in Scotland's First National Park reveals itself as a beautiful town house built around 1800, full of charm and character and retaining many features.

The restaurant serves locally sourced seasonal food cooked simply with care and attention and has been awarded an AA Rosette for the consistent high standard food and wine in a welcoming atmosphere.

The dining area is a charming cross between a French Bistro and a Scottish country house. Tartan curtains and a roaring log fire provide the Scottish touch and chalk boards with French quotations and a wall of bottles of wine add the Gallic influence.

Located in the heart of Callander, Mhor Fish is the Lewis siblings' paean to Scottish food and hospitality. A counter piled high with fish just caught off the north coast of Scotland makes for an impressive display and soon you could be toying with the idea of either having them grilled, seared, baked, fried or just taken home to be savoured. At this chippie, where only beef dripping is in the deep fat fryer, you could choose between oysters, mussels, prawns, Shetland salmon, halibut as well as traditional fish suppers. What's 'Mhor', they are tremendously affordable too.

Mhor was voted one of the best 50 café's in the UK, and no wonder considering the great spectrum of the food from fish experience that it covers. The Observer Food Monthly Awards followed that up with an award of Best Newcomer, whilst its more recent mention in the Michelin Guide 2010 comes as no surprise.

To go with and around the meal some excellent wine, beer and whisky are to hand at Mhor Fish.

Situated amidst glorious scenery just off the town centre of Callander, the delightful Roman Camp Hotel ensures that the original character of this special country house remains intact. The kitchen's expertise is evident in the delicious modern cooking that is a celebration of local Scottish produce.

Start with ravioli of scallops with lobster and parmesan foam or roast quail with purple potatoes and smoked bacon sauce before moving on to Bresse pigeon with wild mushroom consommé and truffle gnocchi, or fillet of turbot with grain mustard risotto and shellfish reduction. To finish the meal an excellent dessert comes in the form of an assiette of Kent mango or orange mousse with milk chocolate sorbet.

The bright Yellow Parlour bedroom with a fireplace takes in lovely views of a parterre garden with plenty of place to stretch out.