As you know we have a network of correspondents, both here and abroad, who selflessly contribute to the psychobabble that we try to pass off as relatively sensible comment. This post involves more correspondents than usual. Our appreciation is boundless. The Laird was the one whole tipped us off about the subject of this post, Polly’s Pantry in Aberdona. He did mention it wasn’t that easy to find and he wasn’t wrong!

But first, since we have just dispatched Halloween for another year, we thought you might be interested in a photograph our London SW correspondent sent. It’s of pumpkin scones. Never come across these before and other than the the photo, there was no more info.

If any readers has tasted these devilish scones please let us know. We can’t imagine that they would be much good but what do we know?

Dirt track

We have frequently passed the road sign for Aberdona when we hurtle past on the way to places like Dunfermline and wondered if Aberdona was like a small version of Aberdeen. The Laird’s tip-off gave us an excuse to find out what it’s actually like. The side road very quickly  lets you know that it’s not going to be at all like Aberdeen, in fact Aberdona consists entirely of two houses and this old farm steading that houses Polly’s Pantry. Anyway, the last bit of road was just a dirt track but no matter, we were here … huragh!

When we got inside, it was very quiet which meant we were able to get a table right next to one of the large windows. However, by the time we left it was very busy indeed. It’s only been going about eighteen months and what the young owners have achieved in that time is quite remarkable for somewhere that’s not exactly on the main drag. 

Caroline was looking after us and she was a delight. Within no time at all she had provided us with everything we wanted including a scone to share. It turned out that the scones were sourced from Vera’s Artisan Bakery in Stirling.  The scone itself was good but, unfortunately, not up to topscone standard. It wasn’t helped either by the fact that the jam was from America, the butter from Ireland and the cream was from Cornwall. You all know what we think of that when there is so much fantastic local produce around. We did enjoy our visit to Polly’s, we will be back.

Wild Wimmin

Now you would think that a place the size of Aberdona would not court much in the way of controversy. Well think again! There’s a small loch in Aberdona that a group called Wild Wimmin Swimmin have been using in their leisure time. Now, however, the local landowner has put up notices banning such activity. Legally he cannot do this in Scotland because everyone has the “right to roam”, enshrined in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of 2005. Having made the Wild Wimmin even wilder the landowner has wisely agreed to talks which will hopefully resolve the issue amicably. Fingers crossed!

The Joy of Little Things

Lately we, along with everyone else, have been perplexed by the antics of our politicians. It seems to us that they are all possessed by naked ambition and delusional self importance . We couldn’t figure out what  the problem was until our Utah correspondents mailed us a poetry book by Robert Service. Service was a English/Scots/Canadian who lived much of his life in France. He was commonly known as the Bard of the Yukon. In the book there is a poem “The Joy of Little Things”.

That’s what these politicians are all missing … the joy of little things. The sense of perspective that little things give you. Scones are little things!

After buying some charcoal sourdough bread (it’s jet black all the way through … argh!) we left and headed off towards Stirling. Not that far down the road we stopped again at Muircot Farm Shop that we reviewed three years ago. Bought some expensive but delicious oatcakes from a Kirkaldy bakery then headed back home.  Lastly, our Co Durham correspondents sent this picture of their scones from Whitby. No more information but they look good.

Huge thanks, as always, goes to all our correspondents we love hearing from you.

FK10 3QP     tel: 01259 752 944       Polly’s Pantry

///atomic.butlers.putter