Where to stay in United Kingdom?

A hostel in King's Cross, on Tavistock Place, a few streets from the British Museum. Handy for arriving by Eurostar at St Pancras and leaving for Scotland by train, without crossing the city.

In Waterloo, on Belvedere Road, on the South Bank, facing Westminster and Big Ben. You walk across the bridge to Parliament, with no Tube or taxi, less than a kilometre from the centre.

The hotel occupies a wing of the former County Hall, the building next to the London Eye.

A grand historic hotel on the Thames, an address that counts in London's history. For a stay where the hotel is as much part of the programme as the sightseeing.

Savoy Court, the approach road from the Strand, is the only road in the United Kingdom where you drive on the right.

In Mayfair, on Brook Street, a quarter of an hour's walk from Hyde Park, a kilometre and a half from the centre. An Art Deco luxury hotel for a stay where evenings get as much care as the sightseeing.

Afternoon tea in the Foyer, beneath Dale Chihuly's light sculpture, is booked weeks in advance.

In Mayfair, on Piccadilly, with Green Park across the street and Buckingham Palace at the end of the path. For those who want to walk to Westminster from the lobby of a grand hotel.

Dress code for tea in the Palm Court: jacket and tie for gentlemen, jeans and trainers not allowed.

Old Town, on Johnston Terrace, right below the castle rock, seven hundred metres from the centre. You are up on the Royal Mile in a few minutes and back down to the quiet in the evening.

Johnston Terrace skirts the rock: the castle esplanade is a five-minute walk, uphill.

Old Town, on Market Street, four hundred metres from the centre, between the Royal Mile and Princes Street. A simple base for those arriving by train and seeing everything on foot.

Waverley station has an exit onto Market Street: you step off the train and you are at the door.

Edinburgh's grand historic hotel, recognisable from afar by its clock tower. For a stay where you arrive by train and the hotel is as much part of the trip as the castle.

The tower clock runs three minutes fast, so that nobody misses their train at Waverley.

In Prestonfield, on Priestfield Road, in parkland at the foot of Arthur's Seat, less than three kilometres from the centre. For those who want the calm of a manor house and to reach the city by taxi.

Peacocks wander the grounds of this 1687 manor, and the Rhubarb restaurant occupies its drawing rooms.

A hostel in Glencoe, on the path that skirts the village. A simple, sociable base for the Glencoe valley and the route to the Steall Falls.

A historic inn on Old Glencoe Road, set right in the Glencoe valley, three and a half kilometres from the village. For ending the day's walk in the pub, among climbers and hikers.

The Boots Bar, the hikers' entrance, lines up hundreds of whiskies and local beers.

In Invercoe, on Lochan Trail, seven hundred metres from Glencoe village, at the entrance to the valley. Suites for those who want the Highlands setting without giving up the comfort of a country house.

A house built in 1896 for Lord Strathcona, the financier of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

In Torlundy, north of Fort William, eighteen kilometres from Glencoe, at the foot of Ben Nevis. For those who make the hotel a destination and drive out to Glenfinnan.

Queen Victoria stayed here in 1873 and wrote in her journal that she had never seen a lovelier spot.

A hostel in Broadford, in the south of the island, some distance from Portree. A budget base for those driving between the Fairy Pools, the Storr and the Quiraing.

A hostel in Budhmor, on Lisigarry Court, four hundred metres from the centre of Portree. You sleep in peace and walk to the harbour, the cafés and the tour departures for the Storr.

A hostel on The Green, right in the centre of Portree. For those travelling without a car who take buses or tours from the village centre.

A secluded Scottish manor, far from the bustle of Portree, for a stay where you slow down. Suits those who come for the food and the silence more than for ticking off viewpoints.

The home of the Macdonald family, where Lady Claire Macdonald wrote her Scottish cookbooks.

A manor in Skeabost, on the shore of Loch Snizort, nine kilometres from Portree on the Dunvegan road. For those who want the calm of parkland and to drive out to Neist Point.