Gordon Arms Hotel

Although one of the most beautiful parts of the UK, the weather in the Scottish Borders can be unpredictable to say the least. So what does a publican, who wants to offer his customers a great place (come rain, hail or shine) in which to eat and relax, do? Well, Keith Jamieson of the Gordon Arms Hotel simply rolls back the roof of his restaurant if it's windy and sunny, or rolls up the sides if it's warm but wet. Innovative thinking indeed.

We visited the 'sitooterie' at the Gorden Arms one chilly March afternoon to find out what it was all about. The idea, Keith said, came to life when devising plans for a smokers' shelter. Whilst planning to keep his customers warm and dry, he also wanted to make the most of his grounds, keeping the beer garden (fabulous on a summer's evening) but also expanding the award-winning restaurant (due to popular demand). The result? A £50,000 project that sees stylish wooden decking, semi-permanent fabric walls and a removable roof, creating an innovative restaurant that really does change with the wind. The sitooterie has almost doubled the restaurant capacity at this three-star hotel, and allows diners a wider choice of tables to suit mood, occasion and weather.

Needless to say, the food here is still exceptional, with traditional dishes such as haggis, neeps and tatties served with a Balmoral sauce sitting comfortably beside Moroccan spiced salmon, and collops of venison with a rustic butternut squash and sweet potato purée. Traditional fare is served with a twist and all food is locally sourced wherever possible.

Gordon Arms Hotel was crowned CAMRA 'Borders Pub of the Year' in 2007 and, situated in the picturesque village of West Linton, it is a perfect stop-off when travelling to Scotland, touring local sites, or after a night of good ale and good eating in the fantastic sitooterie, thanks to its four beautifully appointed bedrooms.