Situated in the heart of Biggar, the Elphinstone Hotel is a local institution that dates back around 400 years.

Every occasion is catered for at the ‘Elph’ – a public bar for a leisurely drink, the lounge bar for casual meals and the restaurant for more formal dining. The real fire in the lounge bar was a welcome sight on the windy night we sat down to peruse the menu. Much of the food is sourced locally, including beef from Blythe Bridge, black pudding from Ramsay of Carluke and ice cream from Taylors of Biggar. The regular menu is extensive, with starters from just £3.25 and main courses from £8.75. The Elph is well known for Scottish specialities, including the famous Cullen Skink, but also serves fine food from around the world including Italian, Mexican and Indian cuisine.

The Elph is a family-run business and the owners take great pride in the fact that locals come back to eat there again and again. In addition to a new loyalty scheme for their customers, they have recently added seven new bedrooms and upgraded the existing four. The lunchtime menu includes fresh sandwiches, paninis, coffee and cake – perfect for a lazy afternoon. Robert Allen and his family have certainly worked hard to make the Elphinstone Hotel a warm and welcoming destination for locals and visitors alike.