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Tucked away in a sylvan setting a little outside Aberfeldy and close to historic Castle Menzies is Farleyer, The Weem Hotel a veritable haven from whatever cares you have to escape. Whether it is at the restaurant or the large bar lounge; it's all about making guests comfortable and feel at ease.

They are fervent believers in using the best of Scotland's natural larder which surrounds them in abundance. The beef is sourced locally and hung properly for that extra flavour and tenderness, and some of them find its way into the menu, with the steak pie, slowly cooked in Belhaven Best beer, topped with a puff pastry. A range of starters include chicken liver pâté, haggis cairn and confit of Shetland salmon.

The drinks list features local real ales, a 40 bin wine list, and a range of over 60 Scottish malt whiskies that will appeal to connoisseurs worldwide.

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.

Enjoy the warm hospitality of McKays Bar and Restaurant in Atholl Road which offers a Scottish menu. Relax and unwind in the pub, watching sports, listening to live musicians or joining in the themed nights. Local music is allowed pride of place here.

The menu offers starters of spicy chicken wings, smoked salmon and haggis with mashed tatties and neeps and local black pudding with spiced apple chutney. Having whetted the appetite, now proceed with homemade steak and ale pie with creamy mash, traditional Buckie haddock and chips, roast half chicken with stir fried leeks and smoked haddock and mozzarella fishcake. Choice of sandwiches extends to tuna mayo and red onion, honey roast ham and cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, lettuce and tomato. McKays' mega grill mix offers rump steak, sausages, chicken breast, gammon steak, tomato, fried egg, haggis, black pudding and chips. Choose from a selection of over 100 different malt whiskies to warm the insides.