SETTING Jim and Nicola Findlay, father and daughter, have received numerous accolades for Best Hotel Meal and Customer Service at the East Lothian Food and Drink Awards held each October. So why not experience their fine hospitality and stay overnight. Twelve bedrooms boast stunning sea views from Bass Rock round the bay to Dunbar Castle and the harbour where you can see the fishing boats pootle back and forth. Enjoy a local beer or glass of fizz in the beer garden before heading into the homely, warm restaurant.

FOOD There’s always fresh fish and seafood on the menu, whether it’s a huge bowl of bouillabaisse, thumb-sized queenies (tiny little scallops) decorating glistening sea bass or The Rocks infamous whole lobster, great with fat chips and a dollop of hollandaise; for a treat have a bottle of house bubbly at under £25.

The daily specials board features a fantastic selection of local goodies; from the mussels and trout to game and some excellent steaks. Very retro I know, but whitebait seems to be making a comeback. The little fish, lightly devilled, arrive in a tangled, crunchy heap – lovely! Glistening blue-black mussel shells hide their plump, orangey treasures in velvety cream sauce. The wild guinea fowl has a wonderfully crisp skin, a naughty pleasure revealing succulent flesh.

From 1 – 26 December, their traditional Christmas menu (£ 22.95- £ 26, 2/3 courses) presents Game Broth, Sizzling Pig, Sloe Gin Venison Pie, Salmon, Chocolate Cheesecake with winter berries. A festive feast to entice you to Dunbar.