I also look out for individuality – places with character, though this needs to be appropriate for the location…..I always prefer owner managed places, but if not, I want to see a manager who has the authority to act like the proprietor ( and not wait for approval of the tiniest investment)……I am particularly keen to assess the establishment’s relationship and reputation locally. …..While it is always difficult for a seasonal business to employ many local residents, its always good to see a core of local people working there……Even if locals don’t frequent the restaurant, I prefer it when they are welcome in at least a public bar ( if it exists)..and if not hope they would recommend it to their friends and visiting relations….I now expect there to be bottled or even better drinking tap-water in a bedroom… and so on…

Then there’s the porridge……I do like my porridge in the morning and to me this simple dish can tell a great deal about a hotel or guesthouse….the worst porridge I have had in eight years of research was in a hotel which boasted a Michelin Star (we don’t use it currently) but I have enjoyed many excellent and varied examples of this perfect start to the day all across Scotland and indeed Ireland too.

The most recent was this morning in Perthshire – a bit of  fancy number, well cooked, and served with creme fraiche, honey and pistachios….(ok, so I am not a purist). The chef here had also once held a Michelin Star at another hotel, but he still cared about his porridge…..”guid man yersel”

The result is larger than I expected – an area of sea which seems alive with areas of seeming flat calm, incredibly strong tides, a series of whirlpools, and standing waves. It required great seamanship and experience to bring us so close. The experience was made all the more fascinating by the clear and calm autumn weather we enjoyed on the day.

A perfect Scottish autumn day…

Four of us took a 3 hour stroll along the coast of Kintyre on Saturday -  a route we know as the “Seven beach walk” .  No other people, warm and sunny with no rain, indeed no fewer than seven different coves and beaches, lots of birdlife  – though only otter footprints in the sand rather than any live sightings this time – and good company. Perfect and not under-rated in my book.

The walk ended in Southend village where I enjoyed battered king prawn and chips, followed by the best butterscotch sponge – thanks Frances!

The E-type was perfect transport for our short break

The locals were curious, but friendly..

Discovered some new beaches too

Here is the oldest crossing to the island, where the drovers would swim their cattle on the way to the markets, the route used by Johnson & Boswell in the 1770s and the boat used is the last of the hand operated “turntable ferries” once common on many highland routes – the Glenachulish is over 40 years old in fact!

Its a unique and great fun experience, now community owned, so even more deserving of support. The route has the added advantage of bringing you on superb, if fairly challenging roads on either side. Ok, the bridge is quicker and the Mallaig ferry can take more cars, but in this case the original is indeed the best. I will be back!

It gives me particular pleasure to be offering holidays in the land of my birth, including quite a few options in Northern Ireland, where I am from – a true hidden gem.

It has been a lot of work for everyone here, and I have been enjoying spending time checking out hotels and great places to visit – and big thanks especially to Ben Ellis at Hungrybrowser for once again turning our ideas into a really exciting website. We will be adding lots more holiday ideas over the next few months – including some more combinations with Scotland.

Of course there are some exciting new options for “See Scotland differently” holidays next year, including our Island photography weekends, holidays on Shetland and Family Highland Adventure.

Just back from Shetland, which will be a new addition to our holiday programme for 2010. Looking forward to marketing one of the most unique parts of Britain, which offers a very different, truly dramatic landscape and a social character which is more Scandinavian than Scottish.

One of the highlights of my trip was to reach the far north of Unst, and look over Saxa Vord to Muckle Flugga lighthouse, the most northerly point of the British Isles (apart from a small islet called  Out Stack apparently).