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Edinburgh is great, but sometimes the hustle and bustle of a major capital city is not exactly what you're seeking. Why not combine the best of both worlds by staying or dining at Kilspindie House in the picturesque village of Aberlady overlooking the Firth of Forth, with the urban benefits of Edinburgh just twenty miles down the road in case of need. It's the perfect spot for golf enthusiasts with the Kilspindie, Craigielaw and Lufless Golf Courses all within a five minute drive, while other local attractions like the Tantallon and Dirleton Castles, Aberlady Nature Reserve and the Scottish Seabird Centre are less than a 30-minute drive away. Kilspindie House is a perfect base to explore the East Lothian coast and then unwind with a drink and some delicious Scottish food.

Kilspindie House dates from 1638 and has been tastefully renovated to create a wonderfully comfortable modern hotel boasting 23 en suite bedrooms. Each room has its own individual touches and is fitted with wireless internet, freeview TV, direct dial phones, free WiFi and tea and coffee making facilities.

The hotel also boasts the award-winning Ducks Restaurant which offers stunning modern Scottish cuisine made with wonderfully fresh local produce. A meal from the restaurant's à la carte menu could start with a tian of crab and brown shrimp with dill soured cream, avocado puree and young shoots, or wood pigeon breast with braised puy lentils and red amaranth jus. Main courses include slow roasted pork belly served with rumbledethump potatoes, creamed East Lothian Savoy cabbage, courtyard pear chutney and thyme jus, whilst those in search of something rather bulkier could take a close look at the sirloin of matured Buccleuch beef with Yukon Gold fondant potato, kale, celeriac puree, foraged chanterelles, haggis fritter and peppercorn sauce.

Scotland has a close association with some of the coldest and freshest waters in the world which in turn yield superb quality seafood and shellfish, including fantastic fresh lobster or crusted Firth of Forth mackerel fillet served with Dunbar Rover potato and caper salad, gooseberry and ginger relish and radish. Finish on a high note with chocolate fondant and raspberry sorbet.

For such a relatively short menu the choice of tastes and texture is amazingly broad, nor is it very often that you find a bar menu running the à la carte such a close second. Seafood chowder, that classic dish; barbeque chicken wings with green salad, beef burger with smoked cheddar, red onion marmalade, salad, tomato and hand cut chips, the wonderful haggis parcels with sweet chilli syrup, roasted chicken breast with wild mushroom risotto, rocket and red wine jus, or haddock and salmon fishcake with tomato and dill sauce are all attractively served, popular and incredibly good value.

Donald's mixed grill encompasses sirloin steak, gammon steak, sausage and egg, grilled ciabatta sandwiches, and offer side dishes such as rocket and parmesan salad, bowl of Cerignola olives, tomato and onion salad, and mashed potato. This is food brought together to meet the needs of a carefully researched clientele, not forgetting their splendid Sunday lunch, anticipation of which must have comforted many a chilly Sabbath morn at the Kirk.

Wine at Ducks is one of the pleasures of life, and the hand - or nose - of some astute connoisseur would appear to be not far away from the cellar. There are also a number of fine whiskies available at the bar, just as well with the renowned Glenkinchie distillery virtually on the doorstep.

Ducks host several events throughout the year such as St. Andrews Night dinners, wine tasting evenings and live music, and the function room, which seats up to 100 people, provides a wonderful venue for weddings while the team do their best to make your big day memorable. There are also a number of deals on rooms over the Festive period, and with sumptuous special menus for Christmas Lunch and Dinner, as well as a glorious dinner and dance at Hogmanay, Kilspindie House could make the ideal setting for seeing in the New Year.

To gain further information, just visit their extremely comprehensive Website.

Golfing enthusiasts visiting the East Lothian village of Aberlady in Scotland are probably acquainted with The Old Aberlady Inn, which has been around since the 1800's. Even back then, the association with golf was maintained, partly because of all the magnificent courses that have made this location a veritable golfer's haven and peace and tranquillity abounds with all the nature reserves and sandy beaches nearby. Food, whether served in the restaurant or bar, is of the highest quality and there's a colourful terraced garden as well as al fresco seating options.

Appetisers on the menu could include a filo parcel of haggis on a sweet potato mash with whisky and onion cream sauce. For the main course, the fillet of salmon wrapped in Parma ham with roasted new potatoes and tomato salsa stands out, finally ending with a dark chocolate mousse or a selection of Scottish cheeses. The bar at The Old Aberlady is well stocked with some superb wines, beers and traditional malts.