Located in the picturesque town of Linlithgow, Ship 2 Shore 24 is quite the hidden gem. Under new ownership since late 2010, it presents a fusion of modern Scottish cuisine with a distinctly Brazilian influence.

Despite having its own fishmonger, Ship 2 Shore 24 doesn’t just concentrate on seafood, though it is an important part of the constantly changing menu. Using locally sourced ingredients, all the dishes are homemade, from the starters to the truffles accompanying your coffee.

The haggis with fennel salad, straw potatoes and whisky sauce is a delicate but excellent starter, as are the pan-fried scallops and king prawns with black and white puddings. The mains are equally exquisite, with offerings such as panfried chicken with duck confit, maple syrup and a lemon and tarragon syrup. It’s also worth trying the Brazilian-influenced moqueca – pan-fried halibut with tomato, onion and pepper cooked in a prawn, mussel and langoustine broth. Desserts are also of a high standard – the traditional sticky toffee pudding melts in the mouth, or there’s the rich and very indulgent chocolate mousse with French kirsch cherries. Clearly a lot of thought and skill have gone into getting the combination of ingredients and balance of flavours just right. Ship 2 Shore 24 is a gastronomic experience worth seeking out.