The only Scottish city we visited was Glasgow which is struggling, successfully, to become an arts and tourist destination like its more elegant rival Edinburgh. The museums are very worthwhile and free. We had three good meals in Glasgow. Yes has modern decor and food. The trouble is there is really no alternative if you want to eat good food.
Pub grub is almost always nasty.
At traditional restaurants you'll pay high prices for food that is dismal and overcooked. It's almost a blessing that everything is buried under thick, gooey sauces. Our other good meals in Glasgow were lunch at CCA , a funky art school in the center of town, and The Ubiquitous Chip . The Chip has been a tourist institution for 25 years, probably because the owners really care about food and wine. There are always Scottish specialties, such as venison.