Eagle, the Inn on the Water, is a beautifully converted Dutch barge, worth seeing just for the decor. She is situated just above Laggan lock on the Caledonian Canal.

The owners specialise in seafood, although if you don't like seafood the chef might agree to prepare you a very fine steak. There is no menu, just go with his recommendation or dish of the day and I doubt if you'll be disappointed. The night we were there we had a superb paella for two with langoustines, crayfish, tiger prawns, Bantry Bay mussels, fresh tuna and salmon. It was served with a delightful salad with fennel and watercress, crusty bread and a light seafood sauce.

For pudding we had a single portion of Passion Cake between us - all we could manage - and finished it off with a pot of really nice coffee - free - and a nip of sixteen year old Macallan. The whole thing came to just £44 for the two of us, excellent value for a meal of this standard.

There's also a great collection of malts and fine wines plus a range of excellent bottled real ales including a wheat beer from the Black Isle brewery that is - IMHO - a perfect accompaniment to seafood if you don't want to drink wine.

have a look around - click any picture to enlarge: