The Flotterstone Inn

The Flotterstone Inn is beautifully framed by tall trees and overshadowed by the soaring Pentland Hills in a picturesque corner of Midlothian. The inn is warm and inviting, with a welcoming fire roaring in the restaurant area and luxurious, modern decor in the Garden Room. The latter is especially useful for all types of function, particularly weddings. The Garden Room is licensed to hold ceremonies, seats up to 80 and looks out onto the beautifully kept, dog-friendly beer garden, complete with a rippling stream, where weddings can also be performed.

My meal began with a traditional starter of haggis, neeps and tatties. My partner opted for the homemade chicken liver pâté with tangy pear chutney and smoked oatcakes. The pâté was rich and luxurious, with a scattering of fresh salad and a splash of fine balsamic vinegar completing the experience.

The mains were equally impressive, with the fresh fillet of haddock proving a fine exemplar of the seafood choices; it was delicately cooked with the choice of being either breaded or battered, served with chef’s coleslaw and salad garnish. The more familiar fillet of beef Stroganoff combined tender steak strips with sautéed vegetables and was flambéed with brandy – delicious. The desserts were our final delight, and choosing from the day’s selection of homemade cakes, cheesecakes and variety of ice creams presented a somewhat tricky decision. It’s well worth veering off the beaten track to find The Flotterstone Inn – a true treasure.