Applecross Inn

At the end of the nail-bitingly vertiginous Bealach Na Bà Pass, the Applecross Inn is legendary for its food, craic and ‘magnificently idyllic location’. Run by Judith Fish MBE since 1989, this whitewashed pub with rooms attracts a steady stream of bikers and campervan holidaymakers ready for a nerve-calming dram (there are over 50 malt whiskies on offer) or a pint from the Applecross Brewery. Outside, picnic tables huddle above a rocky beach with dreamy wide-angle views, while a converted silver Airstream caravan (the Inn-Side Out) offers fish and chips, ice cream and coffee to go. Inside, it’s properly old-school, shabby but not chic: red carpets, orange pine panelling, the bar strung with fairy lights. The menu naturally showcases daily supplies of local seafood: the freshest squat lobsters, langoustines, plump hand-dived scallops, dressed crab salad. Portions are huge and the line-up also takes in flambéed haggis, chicken Caesar salad, burgers, pasta and excellent battered haddock with chunky chips. Desserts are in the same vein, mighty portions of classics ranging from ‘the best homemade sticky toffee pudding’ to traditional raspberry cranachan.