The Scottish restaurants named among the best to visit this autumn

The top 20 list features places across the country, including The Hive in Ceredigion and The Cuan in County Down.

Introducing the ranking, The Guardian newspaper said: "Fancy a seasonal getaway? From cosy inns to restaurants with rooms, we’ve found the best boltholes – all with menus as enticing as the scenery."

See the Scottish restaurants named among the best to visit in the UK this autumn

Glenfinnan House Hotel in the Highlands, Perthshire's Coorie Inn, The Leddie in East Lothian and the Cross Keys In in the Scottish Borders were the restaurants in Scotland named among the best to visit this autumn.

Commending Glenfinnan House Hotel, The Guardian said: "Glenfinnan House Hotel, overlooking Loch Shiel and the Jacobite monument, is one of Scotland’s most celebrated properties.

"On a clear day, you can see Ben Nevis from here, too. Glenfinnan viaduct, which attracts Harry Potter fans hoping to glimpse the steam train, is a short walk away.

"The family-owned country house dates from 1755 and has had a major refurbishment this year, reopening under new management.

"The 14 bedrooms have been refreshed, with light, shimmering wallpapers. The handsome wood-panelled restaurant serves Peterhead cod with mussel cream, lamb rump with dauphinoise potatoes and Isle of Skye lobster.

"The bar menu includes steak sandwiches and local seafood. When the Glenfinnan Ceilidh Band are in session, it’s a cracking night out."

Meanwhile the Coorie Inn in Perthshire was praised by the newspaper for its "welcoming buzz" and "proudly local" produce.

Introducing the inn, it said: "In Scots, to coorie in is to be cosy and snug inside, often sheltering from the weather. The newly opened Coorie Inn, near Crieff, embodies this hug of a phrase with an exceptionally warm welcome."

Customers were also impressed with this cosy inn with users on Tripadvisor giving it a 4.5/5.

One patron said: "Fantastic restaurant. The food was amazing and the staff were first class. The owner is ex Gleneagles and that shows in the quality, but much more affordable. We also stayed over and had a very comfortable stay and quality breakfast. Will definitely be returning."

Discussing The Leddie, the publication added: "This handsome hotel in the village of Aberlady was built in 1638 and for the past few decades was the popular Ducks Inn.

"It is now under new management, refurbished and renamed after the old name for the river that runs through the village. The 27 rooms, some of them dog-friendly, have a breezy coastal feel, with sage-and-sand decor.

"Around the busy restaurant, groups of locals, visiting golfers and cyclists and hotel guests tuck into chicken pies with huge puff pastry crowns and fish and chips, or enjoy the south-facing sun trap of a beer garden.

"There are walks to the beach at Aberlady through a nature reserve or along the sands at Gullane."

The Cross Keys Inn in the Scottish Borders was included for its menu which sticks to traditional pub classics.

The Guardian said: "This 17th-century coaching inn in the village of Ettrickbridge was saved from ruin, renovated and reopened last year by a local couple, Rory and Vicki Steel.

"The beers are local, too, and the welcome warm and genuine.

"Head chef Chris Percy-Davis keeps to a menu of mainly traditional pub favourites, such as burgers, fish and chips, and a mac and three cheese, using the best Borders produce but with the stated aim of keeping dining affordable and waste to a minimum."

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The news outlet continued: "The seven guest rooms are freshly redecorated, with local artists featured on the walls, and there’s also a guest library.

"Despite only opening in 2023, the Cross Keys has already won a Visit Scotland award for best Scottish pub. Ettrickbridge village is surrounded by rolling Borders countryside, with walks in every direction.

"In autumn, salmon can be seen leaping up the River Ettrick on the nearby Philiphaugh estate."