Pitlessie Village Inn

This is a bit of a gem all right, an hour from Edinburgh and just twenty minutes from St Andrews. The traditional, independently owned inn looks out over rolling countryside, and three boutique rooms make the most of the gorgeous location. The ‘Phunky Pheasant’, ‘White Stag’ and ‘Black Sheep’ are modern, country-Scottish in style, with everything you need for a cosy night’s stay, from a smart bathroom to tea- and coffee-making facilities.

While the rooms are great for the price – definitely a cut above your standard country pub accommodation – the inn has a real reputation for its food, so you’ll want to make sure you eat at least one meal there. Breakfast in the morning is a filling affair, as you might expect, and as far as the rest of the food goes, everything is locally sourced, from steak pie to fish and chips, with a pavlova for dessert that people travel miles for. Outside is a large terrace for al fresco drinking and dining while you ponder your next move, with historic Falkland and the Lomond Hills, or even the beach at St Andrews, all within half an hour’s drive.