Goblin Ha is based out in Gifford, so it's going to be a drive for anyone who isn't local. I'd…read moreheard good feedback when I spoke to friends who had visited, but had never made it out there myself. In days of yore, when the SR and I were a-courting, we would often drive up to the moors, through Gifford, to watch the stars (and avoid sheep wandering around the roads) and see the warm lights of Goblin Ha beckoning, but never entered. I can imagine, in the depth of winter, this being a fantastic place to spend a cosy evening. Driving home - well, you might just want to book a room in the hotel.... Online, the menu comes across as quite intriguing, but in some weird Jekyll and Hyde way, when we got to the hotel and sat down at the table, it was more pub grub than I was expecting (graphic design for ya kids!). The menu definitely goes for standard pub fare (fish pie, hunters chicken, prawn pasta) and there is quite a massive selection - more than comes across online. Massive menus usually make me quite suspicious. However, what we had was totally fine - it's not. as the previous reviewer commented, adventurous, but it's half decent and felt like a 'safe' option for taking groups of mixed eaters out. There are quite a few vegetarian options (although very carb heavy), and if you like a good sized portion, then this place is for you. Between us, we checked out the ABC salad (chicken, avocado and bacon); potato skins (decent filling); calamari and prawn cocktail (not too watery, always a plus for me); followed by chicken and ribs for the smallest person at the table - all successfully polished off though - duck confit; cajun chicken and a salmon hollandaise for yours truly. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals - I would note that the salmon was pretty bland, and the Hollandaise almost lacking entirely in flavour (it looked like mayonnaise, which didn't help), so I wouldn't go with that again. We polished things off with a very tart lemon tart and creme brulees, which all were pretty good. Service was pretty good - and for a very busy Saturday night, prompt. Drinks were kept topped up and we never felt rushed or pushed out the door at any time. Goblin Ha feels like it is one of those places that does the classics well and best to stick by that rule when you go there and you will enjoy it. Just don't cast great expectations at it and you will enjoy it.

A lovely find in the small but beautiful village of Gifford. Set in the middle of East Lothian…read morecountryside, the location for me is just perfect, a great escape from Edinburgh and so many country walks. My partner was the happiest man alive when we walked in and he discovered they serve real ales, and summer lightening in particular!! The menu was slightly too large and I found it hard to choose so I just opted for the curry special, red Thai prawn. Food was served promptly, presented well and great portion sizes. I would probably go for something more traditional next time, maybe steak pie or fish and chips. My meal tasted fine, but only fine, I think a smaller menu of higher quality dishes is always preferable to quantity. Good prices too, we had 3 courses and a few drinks and it was around 50quid! Next time I'll definitely sit outside in the beer garden which I discovered on route to the ladies! It's big, loads of tables, lovely flowers and outlook and gets the evening sun, just the ticket after a long walk in the country! If highly recommend to anyone who's in the area!

We spent a week at the Golf Hotel ( presently awaiting new signs as it is still called the Toll…read moreBridge Hotel ) and would recommend this place to anyone, it is central to a lot of attractions from Dunbar Edinbrough there was so much to do but we had so little time to do half of it, the food is top notch and the plates are well filled, the entire staff are the most helpful and kind and nothing is to much trouble for them to help should you need it, the owners John and Sue are more than just owners they are hands on owners and always happy and helpful, the rooms are cleaned everyday as you would expect and have an en suit shower / bathroom, they have TV and tea making equipment, we have stopped here on 2 separate occasions and have booked in again for Xmas so we can go into Edinbrough Xmas shopping around 35min bus ride each way. Paul + Sharon

Fan bar. Great banter. Staff awesome. All latest sports plus monthly live actaread more

Maybe a 4.5 star experience but I can't bring myself to round down, so up it is!…read more An absolutely stunning hotel and restaurant. Well worth the 35 mins drive from Edinburgh city centre. Impressive to say the least. We took my mum there for Mother's Day as they had a reasonably priced set menu on offer (I say reasonably in the sense that I'd have expected to pay more at a chez roux restaurant!). The mains of confit of duck and beef were fabulous. My Yorkshire pudding was a bit greasy but I'm picking fault here. I ate the whole thing! My pâté starter was tasty, kind of terrine like, wrapped in pastry. Yummy. My mum and brother both had the haddock. It seemed to go down well (i don't eat fish so couldn't try) although Simon said he didn't think what he had was representative of the menu description. Clean plates all round though! My cheese board was the star of the show for me. Check out the picture I posted. Yes! It was ALL mine! I liked that you didn't have to pay a supplement for the cheese as all too often greedy restaurants attempt to do. Not here! 6 small but adequate bits of cheese each of which are explained upon serving. Top it off with quince jelly, a generous portion of crackers, grapes, celery AND chutney... Drool..... The food was gorgeous, not without tiny faults here and there but you'd have to look very hard to pick at anything really. The small touches really made the experience 5 star for me. Homemade canapés, warm bread and homemade treats with our coffee inc macaroons, blackberry jellies and chocolate covered walnuts. I was so stuffed by that point but it would have been rude not to....:) The only thing I could criticise was the service. It was a bit slow. I don't mind having a lazy Sunday lunch but why they moved us from our comfy fire seat to the dinner table but took another 15 mins to serve the starters is beyond me. Move us when the food is nearly ready next time please. Unfortunately it started to snow as we left - I had really wanted to take a walk around the grounds. From what I could see of the garden from the window I know it will be beautiful in the summer. I took a peek at the afternoon tea menu and I will definitely be back! The prices seemed quite reasonable. You must go here! It's more of a special occasion place but if you have loads of money or just fancy a blow out then what the hell!

This place is located far away from all the turmoil of every day's life, but still close enough to…read moreget into Edinburgh under half an hour. A hidden gem stone! Get first class servings, walk along the sandy beaches, view parts of the Firth of Forth, experience some of the surrounding golf clubs...... That's what I did. As soon as you drive into the private pathway you feel like being sent back in time. The staff welcomes you with elegant courtesy and you are accompanied to your room, feeling at home straight away (some less or more I assume :-) ). The rooms are adequately decorated and very clean. We had a cheaper priced room, but be wary that the cheapest room during off peak season is about £240 for 2 people sharing. Lol. If you can call this cheap..... For single occupancy I think you pay from £210 upwards. it's outrageous that single people are always charged more. As we have the money.... When dining you are being served with gallant mannerism ensuring that your needs are being met satisfactory. The food is very tasty and delicious, but take into account that if you eat in the a la cart restaurant you might be hit by a higher than £50 bill charge per person. So be prepared! The menu changes, such expect to get something different another time around. If you want to spoil your other half - then do! There is no doubt that because of its prestigious and expensive existence this place might only be affordable for special occasions or if you are not hit by recession. But if you are able to go there, enjoy the tranquillity that it has to offer. I know I will be back soon for Afternoon Tea, which is around £18.50 and therefore "just" affordable.

A warm welcome awaits you at the Lodge at Carfraemill…read more They have lovely, comfortable, well appointed rooms with ensuite bathroom. The food is wonderful, proper Scottish locally sourced Border fare which is truly scrumptious. Breakfast is generous with large portions. Very good value. Parking is in front of the hotel but is across the main road meaning a short walk.

Great restaurant pub with nice scottish decor. The restaurant serves breakfast, morning tea, lunch,…read moreafternoon tea and dinner. So always open when you are travelling down the A68. I have had several meals at this pub and every one has tasted great.

I had never even heard of Gleneagles until our friends mentioned they lived just five minutes…read moreaway--who knew this hidden gem was right under our noses! Walking in, I was instantly in awe of the beautiful golf course and the lineup of Bentleys and Rolls Royces casually parked out front. Talk about arriving in style! And the cherry on top? A friendly Scottish staff in full kilt attire, greeting everyone at the entrance--I felt like I'd stepped into a movie. We wandered around the hotel, soaking it all in, and couldn't resist staying for dinner. Such a fun and fancy experience!

First class hotel, way too expensive. I felt out of touch staying here. I was surrounded by…read moreextremely rich people and outrageous prices. For 30 minutes of Archery, I had to pay 500 dollars! Buying a bow, arrows, and target is less expensive than that!!! I made my money's worth, as I made the record for the week, but still, $500 is way too much. Besides that, beautiful rooms, scenery, and food. My favorite part was the breakfast buffet. I had the best smoked salmon I've ever had. I would recommend you only come if you're willing to blow a few thousand dollars.

What a great way to start our trip to Scotland! Our room was spacious and ready for our early…read morearrival. The hotel is very conveniently located to the train station and only a short walk to the downtown area. Reception is very friendly and helpful. Our package included breakfast. Both my husband and I had Belgian waffles. They were exquisite; just the right balance between crispy and chewy. Dinner was also excellent. I had the Scottish steak. It was a good combination of tastes and very enjoyable. My husband's haddock was prepared perfectly. We could not have been happier. I heartily recommend the Royal Mackintosh if you are visiting Dunbar.

Lager drinkers are will catered for here as there seem to be at least five different craft ones on…read moretap. The food looked very appetising, however, and there are lunch and evening deals on on weekdays so the effort will be made to get down for dinner one night. Eating it looking out over the Forth would I think be a memorable experience.

Not what it used to be. Small inexperienced staff with poor training. Poor food quality. Very…read moredisappointing

Loads of fun; "Don't touch that plate, I told you yesterday it's hot."…read moreWe had a smashingly good welcome here and were well cared for by Sean and family. On arrival we were given tea or coffee while we filled in our registration and a bucket and brush to clean our hiking boots (which remain strictly in the foyer, not the hotel.) Acerbic wit with a smile was the standard and it suited us to the ground. Sean's well practiced spiels are a comedy routine in themselves so pay attention and don't miss a word. He was very helpful on tide and bus and taxi information. Our room was nicely proportioned and the bathroom spacious. I visited in another room upstairs which was equally nice. Furniture is simple, stout, workable and unpretentious. All rooms have only showers. Our towels were rough but this is probably local hard water, They were new and thick and clean. Breakfast was excellent and if you are not awake on reaching the breakfast room, I assure you that you soon will be. There is lovely art around and some of it is for sale by Sean's son. Tea service in the rooms was generously stocked with a wee biscuit or two. Check the website to see other options like renting the entire place or having a wheelchair accessible room. Fabulous choice for staying on Lindisfarne. I would most certainly return here.