Few restaurants can boast intimate views over a 16th-century castle, but Kirkcudbright’s Castle Street Bistro sits directly opposite MacLellan’s Castle whose turrets and stepped eaves dominate the town’s centre. Decor inside is relatively plain, but enlivened by walls lined with extraordinary local artwork (Kirkcudbright has been dubbed ‘artists’ town’). On both the à la carte and set menus, the family-run bistro showcases excellent ingredients from Dumfries and Galloway; it sits close to the quay where fishermen haul scallops ashore. You can sample the king scallops here, served on black pudding with a rich port cream. Follow this with wild Scottish venison medallions, swathed in a tangy redcurrant sauce. Pudding might cause decision anxiety, with spiced apple pie in a Calvados fudge sauce competing with a luscious Amaretto, chocolate and raspberry roulade with rich cranachan cream. At quiet moments chef-proprietor Paul Tomlinson pops out of the kitchen to chat with diners.