This place is perfect for a few days spent rambling in the Cairngorms and drinking the finest whiskey on the planet. The hotel is simple, clean, comfortable and very informal which suited me very well.

The rooms are basic and if you are looking for designer interiors you will be very disappointed but they are clean, the facilities are very good and the beds are comfortable.

The real golden nugget is the bar. You are made very welcome and within a few minutes you feel like you have lived in Cragellachie for years. The locals all drink here and they are very happy to spend their evenings discussing whiskey, Scotland or any subject of interest.

The bar crew have a spectacular knowledge of whiskey and you will find yourself drinking with employees of some of the most famous distilleries in the world (one of the chief tasters for Glenlivet/Chivas lives next door - Watch out as Rab is a bit of a pool shark). Allow them to guide you rather than trawling through the menu of over 300 whiskies.

The food is very homely and very good quality. Make sure you try the Tatties, Neeps & Haggis, even just as a starter.

The hotel across the road is a little more formal but is also very friendly, has an excellent bar and a fantastic restaraunt. It is not much different in price so try it out too (if you have time).

Cairngorm Mountain is a short drive away and has a fenicular railway to take you most of the way up. You can ski in winter and the walking trails are some of the best in Britain. A perfect way to walk off last nights whiskey and set you up for another tasting session. The Balvenie is probably the best distillery tour.

Best time to go is mid winter when it is quiet. The bar staff will have more time to spend with you on the whiskey tasting experience and the mountains have a snow cover.