The Oak Tree Inn

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The principal village on the east shore of Loch Lomond, Balmaha is a popular tourist destination in Scotland's first national park. If you are walking the West Highland Way, ascending Ben Lomond or sailing on the loch, the Oak Tree Inn provides hearty meals to replenish your energy stores, and, if necessary, offers a bed for the night. Although only ten years old, it looks and feels older inside, with tartan carpet, wooden beams and a blazing open fire. Typical of the menu are hearty, good quality pub grub options, such as breaded camembert starter or gammon steak with pineapple and onion rings. Supplementing the menu is a range of specials, including the sausage of the day or the rich, dark and hugely satisfying tender venison and red wine casserole. The menu has a strong focus on local, fresh ingredients: much of the meat is locally reared and the proprietors are starting to grow their own fruit and vegetables. The dessert menu clearly notes which products are home-made, such as the clootie dumpling (from a secret family recipe) that's bursting with fruit and strong cinnamon overtones, or the remarkably light sticky toffee pudding in a moat of butterscotch sauce.

• High point: Desserts deserving of attention
• Low point: Open fire can be smoky