Vanessa Jackman is an Australian lawyer turned photographer living in London who also writes a popular blog ‘about a girl, her Nikon and a great big love affair’.

She came to stay at the Torridon recently with her trusty Nikon and was much moved by the majestic scenery, the hotel and of course, our Highland cattle which she describes as being oversized shaggy teddy bears. Hint: don’t try to cuddle them Vanessa.

Amongst the luxuries of her room she discovers an iconic Scottish treat:

[a] tower of Tunnock’s tea cakes stands temptingly in our line of sight prompting me to carefully unwrap the first foil wrapper and bite into lush chocolate-y marshmallow-y biscuit-y goodness – a revelation in deliciousness and cries of how have we not discovered these before fill the room; a decanter of complimentary Torridon whisky sits next to a collection of classics…while a tartan-covered hot water bottle lies tucked away in preparedness for the chilly winter ahead (returning to our room after dinner that night I discover it tucked, toasty warm, into our bed!)

What more could a girl want on a winter’s night but a Tunnock’s tea cake, whisky and a hot water bottle?

Fortunately she also found more rarified delights at the dinner table:

For dinner on our first night, we were treated to a five-course menu which showcased the local produce, and the chef’s ability to coax the best flavors from each ingredient, brilliantly. Highlights included a sweet, subtle onion velouté with parmesan biscuit, crispy-skinned duck on a rectangle of confit shallot tart with a smattering of smoky hazelnuts and creamed celeriac, panfried sea bream with silky herb gnocchi and butternut and sage puree, and a glorious dessert of glazed pineapple with coconut ice-cream and sticky butterscotch sauce spiced with star anise

Enjoy a full account of her cosy winter’s stay at the Torridon along with superb photographs of Torridon, Shieldaig and Wester Ross on Vanessa Jackman’s blog.

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