All posts by billpaterson1@me.com

Ordinary, Scones, self-service

The Milk Barn

1 Comment

Well here we are at The Milk Barn on the south side of Falkirk on a dull chilly day. The upcoming General Election has well and truly kicked off with all parties promising more scones tomorrow. Main issues seem to be: 1. should banker type folk get more cream on their jammy scones 2. should ordinary folk (i.e. not bankers), get any jam 3. is the EU meddling with our scones 4. should folks north of the border be allowed to call their scones Scottish instead of British.

Appealing MPs

Being Scottish the last one is of particular interest because once again the main unionist parties are demonstrating tInternal view of the Milk Barn, Falkirkheir complete lack of comprehension of what Scotland and its scones are about and in so doing seem to risk the Union itself. From a sconologist point of view, the unionist parties should really be promoting United Bakeries, who make brilliant scones. Unfortunately they are in Norway .. which isn’t even in the EU. So maybe not. Interesting though that all MPs are effectively sacked and then have to win back their jobs by appealing to us folk. Not only with scones, but probably with jam and cream as well. It will be an interesting few weeks.

The Milk Barn is a great bit of diversification by the Reid family who run Glen Farm. It’s probably not the sort of place to go if you don’t have children. The noise levels can be pretty high. On the other hand if you do have children it is a must do destination. There’s a great play area inside for smaller kids. An adventure playground outside for the bigger ones. A large grassed area for playing football. A fab ice cream parlour where you can watch it actually being made.

Fibreglass cows

You can even milk Glenda the life-size fibreglass cow! So great fun if you are looking for the kids to be entertained while you try and sneak in a quiet cup of tea and, of course, a scone.
Milk Bar sconeThe scones are home baked and although mine was an odd shape it tasted fine and butter and jam were provided free. Oh, and fab strawberry tarts

The place is busy most of the time. However, although the staff were run of their feet they still managed to be smiley and friendly .. well done.

FK1 3AA                       tel: 01324 630703                       Milk Barn

Scones, Top

Fonab Castle Hotel

1 Comment

 

External view at Fonab Castle, Pitlochry

Pitlochry is a huge tourist destination and has lots of good hotels. Fonab Castle Hotel is definitely at the boutique end of the market. We have stayed here before and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. The service, the decor, the setting. In fact everything you would expect from a 3 rosette AA 5 star hotel. It also has recently added a very fine Spa facility which you might want to try. Especially if you have overindulged in the scone department. Believe us, it is very easily done.

This time we were here for a champagne dinner (as you do) and if that was not indulgent enough, we managed to squeeze in a cream tea in the afternoon. A scone at Fonab Castle, PitlochryWe have long thought that the Fonab might actually produce the best scones in the world but, of course,  these things require constant checking. We were not to be disappointed. Beautifully served and presented with crisp white linen napkins, clotted cream and a variety of jams. The scones were to die for .. light and fluffy, melt in the mouth. How do they do it?               Internal view at Fonab Castle, Pitlochry

Later, at dinner we had an opportunity to ask the head chef Paul Burns what the secret ingredient was. And he actually told us! ‘Happiness in the kitchen’, brilliant, definitely going to try some of that. As you might expect Fonab Castle is not the cheapest place to go for a scone, it is about £11.00 for a cream tea but you do get first class service, beautiful presentation, two fabulous scones, beautiful views of Loch Faskally and as much tea or coffee as you can drink. You should definitely try it.

PH16 5ND         Tel: 01796 470140   www.fonabcastlehotel.com

Useful link: what to do in Pitlochry

Ordinary, Scones, self-service

Tree Shop Café

1 Comment

We were actually heading for the Loch Fyne Oyster Restaurant & Bar at Cairndow only to find out that they don’t do scones. Nor much else to go with a cuppa .. black mark. Undaunted we went next door to the Tree Shop Café. There we were told that they did not have any scones either .. aaargghh! Since there is nothing elseTree Shop int for miles we ordered some other goodies to go with our cuppa. On finding a seat however we looked over only to see a whole new batch of steaming hot scones being removed from an oven. A’hmm, what are these?

Tree Shop sconeForgotten

The lovely lady serving us apologised profusely saying that she had completely forgotten that there was a batch baking. No problem whatsoever, our cakes were exchanged immediately for fresh hot scones.
 All things considered, The Tree Shop is what you might call a typical garden centre café. A bit soulless and nothing to write home about. As it turned out neither was the scone but we enjoyed it nevertheless.

The garden centre specialises the best choice of plants suitable for Scottish conditions. The staff have a wealth of knowledge of what plants do well in our conditions and are happy to advise all our visitors.

PA26 8BL             tel: 01499 600263                       Tree Shop

Ordinary, Scones, self-service

The Green Welly Stop

Image 1 Comment

Green Welly Stop logoBecause it is situated in Tyndrum at a bifurcation in the road, one road takes you north to Fort William and the other west to Oban, this is a an extremely busy stop-off place for cars, motorbikes and tour buses. Just as well it has a huge car park to cater for all the traffic. There are several shops as well as the Green Welly Stop which is correspondingly big and must cater to thousands and thousands of tourists. Hence you can get pretty much anything you want on a self service basis. Needless to say it was the scones we were after.

A Green Welly scone!
A Green Welly scone!

 

To be fair they were better than expected. But struggling to get above average … which is pretty good for someplace so busy. Jam was extra. All in all it was pretty much what you would expect from a place like this. Did the job and that is what the Green Welly Stop is set up to do.

Main meal items produced in the main kitchens are hearty affairs. We always have a selection of traditional Scottish dishes on offer, as well as the internationally recognised Lasagne and macaroni. Pasta dishes do feature on our all day menu – these are so popular with the customers who have been hill walking, cycling or whatever healthy pursuit they have been doing!

Always trying to improve quick-to-eat, snack items, you don’t want to miss our range of home made pastries. These are a crispy delight! There is a vegetarian cheese and onion option, and the meat pastries vary daily between Steak, Haggis and Steak Mince. Enjoy these in the restaurant, or purchase them at the Snack Stop! A cracking meal deal is available here – a pastry and a soup to take away and enjoy!

Haggis and Steak

Our home baking continues going from strength to strength – once again, all of our baking is available for you to take home – The Snack Stop and the Filling Station have baking selections and we highly recommend our Fruit, Banana and Date and Walnut loaves – these are all baked fresh for you.

FK20 8RY     www@thegreenwellystop.co.uk     tel: 01838 400271

Scones, self-service

Mitchell’s Coffee Corner

1 Comment

When you visit Oban and have done McCaig’s Folly, the shops, the harbour and the distillery you may feel in need of a cuppa and a scone. Mitchell’s Coffee Corner is not far from the Harbour and opposite one of Oban’s best pubs, Aulay’s Bar.
Internal view of Coffee Corner, ObanDon’t get your hopes up too far however. Not much in the way of atmosphere and the surroundings, like the scones, were a bit utilitarian. No table service and the scones come pre-buttered. Just why anyone would want to do this is quite beyond us. Do they know how much butter, if any, people want? My scone came with too much butter and the scone itself could probably best be described as ‘firm’. My coffee was fine as was Pat’s tea. A scone at the Coffee Corner, ObanWe wish Mitchell’s Coffee Corner well but it needs to brighten itself and it’s service up a bit .. just a bit tired and uninspiring. We like to promote the small independent businesses wherever possible so just as well Costa, next door, don’t do scones.

There is more to Oban than just ferries, follies and scones. The transatlantic telephone cable came ashore here during the Cold War and carried the hotline between the US President and the President of the USSR. The Nuclear Reporting Cell was located here as well in 1925. It housed the Royal Observer Corps who were responsible for reporting foreign nuclear aggression to Westminster.

PA34 4LL                tel: 01631 562 588               Coffee Corner TA

Scones, Top

Ardanaiseig Hotel

It is not every day you drive 13 miles down a dead end single track road .. for a scone. Especially when neither of us were feeling great with flu still hanging on both of us. Was it worth all the effort? You bet! Greeted by Catherine and some very welcoming staff we were soon seated in front of a blazing log fire in the bar. Before long our scones were brought to us. They were toasted (wonderful touch) and with little jars of cream and jam, fantastic, what more could you ask for? Especially when you are not feeling one hundred percent.Scones at Ardanaiseig Hotel

And all excellent value considering the fabulous surroundings and the stupendous location.

Scones by the fire and fabulous view towards Ben Lui with a crannog in the foreground this scone experience could easily make it into our ‘top scones’ category.

View from Ardanaiseig Hotel

Ardanaiseig (pronounced (ar-den-ass-ay) was built in 1834 by Colonel James Archibald Campbell when the journey was not a 13 mile drive on a single track road but one on horseback. They obviously thought it was worth it, and we agree. If you do make it you should also have a look at the huge oil painting in the dining room. The current owner (Bennie Gray, antique dealer) had it modified because he did not know anyone in the original. There are other similarly adapted paintings dotted around the corridors.

Large painting at Ardanaiseig Hotel
Mick, Ringo, Rod, Brian and even Kissinger are featured.

PA35 1HE           tel: 01866 833333         www.ardanaiseig.com

Scones, Top

Palmerston’s Coffee Shop

1 Comment

If you find yourself in Dunkeld on a wet March day and a bit tired of walking round the town you could do a lot worse than pop into Palmerston’s Coffee Shop on the main street. Palmerston's Coffe Shop champion jam certificateIt’s small and welcoming with a wonderful display of homemade jams which have been super successful in the World Jampionships over recent years. A scone at Palmerston's Coffe Shop, DunkeldWe had the raspberry and nectarine and it was not difficult to see why it had been such a hit.

Also, each table had a note with the wifi password .. great! Wish everywhere did this rather than tediously having to ask.
A scone at Palmerston's Coffee ShopScones are a little bit different. They are obviously baked in a large round then quartered to give a sort of triangular end result. They were light and airy with generous amounts of fruit and we could have had plain or even a rock bun. Served with a little bowl of clotted cream we thought it was great value for money. Come to think of it, it does not have to be a wet March day. Anytime would be good for Palmerston’s Coffee Shop.

And if you like fiddle music this is the place to come. Neil Gow was born here in 1727 and quickly became renowned as one of the best fiddle players in the land. He is commemorated today with the Neil Gow Festival which is held annually in the town.

PH8 0AJ                  tel: 01350 727231                    Palmerstons

///evidently.footpath.proceeds

Useful link: things-to-do-in-dunkeld