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These are the best scones we have found so far.

english, Homemade, Top

Dan’s scones

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What a busy day! The Grand National and the Oxford and Cambridge boat race all happening. However, before all of that  we were invited to a fabulous afternoon tea at First Avenue. It’s in Barnes, south west London  where some of our family live. It has a very village -like feel which is extraordinary considering it is pretty near the centre of the city. It was all courtesy of our daughters and their friends. This is Dan’s scones.

Honourable sconey

We thought there would only be a few cupcakes, Carolyn’s speciality. No, there was tons of Fiona’s fab sandwich

Afternoon tea with scones and cakes

es as well as scrummy tarts and biscuits from Kirsty. Everything was delicious.  However, as self-confessed sconeys (scone enthusiasts) special mention must go to Danielle’s scones. Not only were they as good as anything we have tasted elsewhere but they were heart shaped .. lovely touch. All present have duly been awarded ‘honourable sconey’ status. Okay it’s not exactly the New Year’s Honours list … it’s much more prestigious than that!

Grand National

The annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge passes on the river Thames just behind First Avenue. Oxford won this time. Simultaneously the Grand National steeplechase was being run at Aintree. It was won by Many Clouds,  This was Aspell’s second consecutive Grand National victory, having won aboard Pineau de Re in 2014. Our daughter, Fiona, won  our National sweepstake.

english, Top

Orange Pekoe

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Another day, another Barnes hot spot. Also the day after a supposedly sensible politician managed to bore a child half to death by reading her a story. Why do politicians insist on photo opportunities with kids? Can’t think of any where they

Part of the tea selection at Orange Pekoe, Barnes, London
Part of the tea selection

have not looked completely outside their comfort zone. So why do it ? Anyway, like that poor child you are probably fed up to the back teeth with election stuff already.  And there’s still a month to go. On to better and more important things. Tea is Orange Pekoe’s ‘thing’.

It derives its name from the very finest grade of broadleaf tea. It has won the Tea Guild ‘Award of Excellence’ seven yearsExternal view at Orange Pekoe, Barnes, London in a row so it seems to be quite good at the whole tea thing. Like Gail’s, which is not far away, it is busy all the time and also has seats outside. However Pekoe is more set up as a tearoom and is renowned for its afternoon teas.

 

Light and fluffy

Lovely day so we took a seat outside and then were attended to by the very welcoming and friendly staff. If we had had more time it would have been great to sample the afternoon tea but we didn’t so we just settled for some scones. They came accompanied by small dishes of jam and clotted cream and  were beautifully warm, light and fluffy … utterly delicious. Only criticism, and it is a tiny one, was that they were maybe a tad on the small side, they certainly give you enough jam and cream for something much bigger. A scone at Orange Pekoe, Barnes, LondonAccompanied by all the other stuff of an afternoon tea the size was ideal but on its own just a wee bit small.

Also, Barnes is probably not the place to come for a cheap scone. Seen more Aston Martins and Porsche Cayennes than you could shake a stick at. So a little on the expensive side. However, having said that, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we had. Would definitely recommend if you find yourself here for the boat race. Though your chances of getting in on Saturday are probably non-existent.

Had to explain ‘scone’ to a foreign lady and found it quite difficult. There’s really not much with which to compare it.

SW13 0PX           tel: 020 88766070           Pekoe

Scones, Top

Fonab Castle Hotel

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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

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

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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

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Useful link: things-to-do-in-dunkeld