The Lock Inn

You'll find yourself drawn to the water here—it's the whole point of The Lock Inn's existence, really. Grab a seat by the window or outside on the terrace and you've got front-row entertainment as pleasure boats squeeze through the Caledonian Canal locks. It's the kind of place where locals actually drink, not just tourists passing through, though plenty of both pile in during summer. The food's straightforward and honest: fish and chips that don't embarrass themselves, steaks cooked properly, Scottish classics done without pretension. Service moves at the speed of the canal itself, which is fine—this isn't a place to rush.