My Favourite Holiday: Author William A. Graham picks a place with great food, scenery and sunshine… and no midges

WILLIAM A. GRAHAM was born and raised in Dundee, so when it came time to write his debut crime novel, there was only going to be one place where it would be set.

Vermin is the story of journalist-turned-private detective, Allan Linton, who takes on a missing person’s case in the City of Discovery only for it to turn into a murder case.

Vermin is out now, published by Black & White.

I LIKE driving holidays. You can go pretty much where you want and stop when you feel like it.

I’ve cruised the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Francisco and meandered across most of Europe, as far as Vienna.

But, until six years ago, the farthest I’d driven in Scotland was to visit family in Ayrshire.

Then my wife, Helen, announced we were touring with our friends Kate and Alan – to Skye and back.

I wasn’t too sure about it. We’d holidayed with them before, but that was in a five-star hotel in Rome.

I couldn’t see the midge-plagued north of Scotland matching that.

Our first stop after leaving Dundee was Pitlochry. The hotel was comfortable and dinner at a local restaurant was exceptional.

Then it was on to Plockton, for two nights in a B&B on the waterfront.

Plockton was relaxed and peaceful – although we did get a bit excited watching Andy Murray beat Federer in the Olympic Final.

Then it was over the bridge to Skye. We toured the island before reaching our hotel at Ullinish.

Stunning views, rooms full of character and an evening meal that matched that swanky hotel in Rome.

Next morning, we took the ferry across to Mallaig before heading to Glen Coe. The drive through the glen was as imposing as ever.

The final night of our holiday was in Ardeonaig. The hotel sits on the banks of Loch Tay and was luxury from start to finish.

We broke up our leisurely drive back home at a small hotel just outside Aberfeldy, where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch outside on the terrace in the sunshine.

We were lucky regarding the weather but luck had nothing to do with the standard of service we received and the friendliness of the people we encountered.

And don’t let anyone ever tell you Scottish cuisine doesn’t compare with anywhere else on the planet.

To top it all off, I think the midges had decided to have that week off!