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The family run Forth View Hotel is tucked away on Hawkcraig point, below the cliffs looking out to Edinburgh and the Islands of the Forth. Built in 1880 and known as 'Bleakhouse' by Mathew Galloway who ran the steamers to Fife from Granton and Leith, it became the Forth View in 1891 and was famous for its salt sea spa baths.

More than a century later, you still can listen to the sound of waves lapping on the shore, watch the seals playing and when the sun sets, visit the Room with a View. Expect to find succulent scallops, halibut and fresh langoustines on the menu. This is the sort of place where you could have cream of broccoli and smoked haddock soup; monkfish medallions in pancake butter; goujons of sole with a lemon and dill mayonnaise, and finish in style with the chocolate pot or homemade bread and butter pudding with vanilla ice cream.

They cater for small and large group bookings including birthdays, christenings and weddings.

An unusual experience awaits those who dine at the Woodside and should you feel the onset of mild mal de mer it could be due to the fact that the mahogany panelled walls and antique stained glass in the dining room had their origins in the smoking lounge of an ocean liner, which was built in 1901 to ply between Britain and Australia. A family who had connections with the Imperial Russian Navy built the hotel in 1873 and their portraits welcome you on arrival.

More recently the hotel has undergone a major refit, making the Woodside, only 30 minutes from the heart of Edinburgh, an attractive location for those seeking something different.

A starter of guinea fowl leg stuffed with haggis and black pudding with chicken liver quenelles with crisp pancetta or lightly scrambled eggs with oyster in a cream fraiche and chervil sauce makes an excellent prelude to the grilled turbot with pesto, tomato fondue and pomme bataille, or the slowly braised daube of beef served with brioche dumplings, root vegetables and a truffle jus. The Granny Smith crème brûlée is not to be missed either.

The wine list makes a more than adequate contribution to the dining experience and there's house wine at £10.75.