A cup of tea and a scone. The perfect mid-morning pick me up.
Back when Game of Thrones was all the rage, we took a tongue-in-cheek approach and enjoyed a little Game of Scones – seeking out the best scones across Scotland. We truly were spoilt for choice.
Next time you’re looking for a great place to enjoy the perfect scone, why not take a visit to one of these lovely cafes? All found within a short walk of a railway station.
Hettie’s Tearooms, Pitlochry
Let’s start in beautiful Highland Perthshire, in the picturesque town of Pitlochry. Less than a five-minute walk from the railway station, on the main street sits Hettie’s Tearooms. This place is divine. From the warm welcome to cosy interiors you’ll want to sit awhile. Deciding what to have, well that’s a whole other ballgame. Everything looks delicious! All scones are baked fresh and are fantastic.
Hettie’s delivers on a great cuppa, and if you’re out having a wander around the town or further afield in the stunning countryside, you’ll be needing a brew. There’s plenty of choice with 32 loose leaf teas to choose from, all blended in house. And coffee lovers aren’t left out as Hettie’s roast their own coffee on site every day. You know how much we love a railway fact… so the coffee roaster at Hettie’s is named after the owner, Clare, whose late dad, Donnie, was the Station Master at Rannoch Station. Her mum, upon retiring from her Signalwoman’s role, started the Rannoch Station Tearoom back in 1988. Isn’t that a great story!? A true railway family, fantastic at feeding those using the trains.
Rannoch Station Tearoom
So that takes us rather nicely to our next stop, located on the wilds of Rannoch Moor, is possibly the most remote tearoom in Scotland. With cosy interiors and a warm welcome, it’s no wonder the Rannoch Station Tearoom has received an impeccable five-star rating on TripAdvisor. Situated on the platform at Rannoch Station on the West Highland Line between Glasgow and Mallaig, it’s a special spot to refuel before or after a walk or cycle in the area. Or simply make the journey for their scones and amazing home-baking. They’re reason enough to visit! Plus, you can enjoy the surroundings from the outdoor tables and picnic benches on the platform.
Oban Chocolate Company, Oban
On Scotland’s west coast sits the beautiful town of Oban. While it may be known as the Seafood Capital of Scotland, it’s got some great spots to stop for morning coffee or a treat in the afternoon too. Our next stop for a delicious scone is on Oban’s waterfront, a picturesque seven-minute walk along the water from the train station. Hello to Oban Chocolate Company! As well as an incredible chocolate selection as the name suggests, it’s comes up highly on our list of recommended places in Oban for a freshly baked scone. Take a seat on one of the comfy sofas and gaze over Oban Bay while you indulge.
Craigard Tearoom IV, Helensburgh
From Oban, we’re heading back down the scenic West Highland Line to the lovely seaside town of Helensburgh. If you were to travel this route and you hop off at Helensburgh Upper, it would be a 15-minute walk to our next stop of Craigard Tearoom IV. However, if you were to hop off at Helensburgh Central, all you need to do is cross the road. And it’s worth crossing that road for a blooming wonderful fluffy scone or one of the cakes... or both. We won’t judge! The warm service and cosy atmosphere make this a lovely stop.
Café @ Number 16, Aberdour
Let’s head over to the other side of the country and travel through the beautiful Fife countryside to Aberdour. Just a two-minute walk from the train station brings us to the cosy little haven of Café @ Number 16 to make the difficult decision of which scone to choose. There’s usually around five flavours available, such as fruit, cherry, cheese and bacon, blueberry, cheese and plain - it’s never an easy decision.
After indulging at this wonderfully cosy café, a wander along the Fife Coastal path is a good way to help the food go down. Upon leaving the café carry on down Shore Road until you reach the water, then simply turn left and follow the path along. If the scone has powered up your energy levels, it’s a lovely three-mile walk along the path to Burntisland train station where you can always hop back on the train.
There really are so many fantastic cafes and tearooms across Scotland serving up amazing home baking. If you’ve got a favourite for a day out in Scotland, let us know over on our Facebook or Twitter channels so we can try them out.