Have you ever wanted to go to chocolate heaven? If so, we have some great news as a Scottish village has been dubbed just that for its unique offering.
Located in the heart of Dumfries and Galloway, Moniaive was once named one of the "coolest" in Britain and even includes TV star and national treasure Dame Joanna Lumley as a neighbour. Its position at the meeting three valleys and the stunning countryside around it makes it a popular place for those wanting to enjoy the quiet life.
But Moniaive is perhaps best known for its chocolate - the sweet treat produced by Moniaive Chocolatiers to be exact. Central to its success has been its tartan chocolate, believed to be a world first.
It has been enjoyed by the likes of the late Vivienne Westwood and Alex Kapranos, singer of Franz Ferdinand, who has a house in the area. Started in 2009, Moniaive Chocolatiers has now decamped to the nearby village of Thornhill (itself well worth a visit) but its name remains synonymous with its place of origin.
The chocolate, handmade and completely organic, is among the most popular in Scotland with customers flocking to give it a try. One happy Tripadvisor reviewer called it "chocolate heaven in the middle of Dumfriesshire" while another described it as "blissful".
The pretty village is located around 16 miles north of Dumfries and is a 90-minute drive from Glasgow. Just to the northeast is Thornhill where the chocolate shop is now situated.
Focussed around its Mercat Cross, Thornhill is less than nine miles up the road making it an easy jaunt to enjoy both settlements. You might even bump into a few familiar faces with Absolutely Fabulous and Wolf of Wall Street star Dame Joanna, 77, owning a home in nearby Tynron between Moniaive and Thornhill.
Golfer Andrew Coltart also hails from the area while Charlie Chaplin's son eloped to Moniaive while a teenager to get married. Other visitors over the years have included Robert the Bruce, King James IV, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Robert Burns.
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