The Meikleour Arms

The Meikleour Arms stretches our 'distance from the motorway' a tad but, with its focus on sustainable farming and a field-to-plate restaurant ethos, we knew you'd want to know more. It's also a great staging post between Inverness and Edinburgh and is near the mighty Meikleour Hedge (now the world's tallest and longest hedge).

This country estate in the absurdly pretty village of Meikleour has been in the same farming family for hundreds of years. They invest in low-impact farming, produce their own heat and will soon produce their own electricity. The pub - revamped into a gorgeous boutique hotel - reflects the owners’ Franco-Scottish heritage, with heavy drapes and floral wallpapers against slate floors and stone walls.

The lion's share of the menu is estate-grown. Vegetables and herbs flourish in the walled garden and venison comes from the nearby forest. Non-drivers can taste some quirky finds from the lesser-known vineyards of Bordeaux.