Scone Spy: Kirkintilloch’s Cafe Mariana is perfect for al fresco dining

THE weather’s kind of important isn’t it?

Yes, OK, I know that’s pretty blindingly obvious.

If your commute’s a nightmare because you’re slithering through snow or the wipers are barely clearing bucket-loads of water, it’s really not good.

I know that. But when it’s good, oh it’s glorious.

When the sun shines in Scotland you just know you’d never want to be anywhere else (let’s just not mention the midges).

Not only has it never looked more beautiful, but have you noticed your whole mood changes?

We’re more laid-back, nicer to all and sundry. More patient, more tolerant, less likely to burst a blood vessel about that eejit that just won’t let you out at that junction.

Well, perhaps it doesn’t change your mood quite that much.

But frankly, it’s just plain gorgeous. And our altered state extends to dining, too.

No more huddling inside. It’s al fresco dining time.

Beer gardens overflow and restaurants with tables outside suddenly find their phones as hot as the climate.

All this is to say that on a sunny lunchtime there was more chance of Scone Spy being found indoors as there was of saying: “Scone? No thanks, I never touch the things”.

We’ve headed for Kilsyth, but as we hit the centre things take a turn for the worse.

Think Wild West ghost town. Not so much a dirt street with tumbleweed rolling down it but a pedestrianised main drag with not a sign of life.

We won’t be thwarted, though, so we head a few miles along the road to a previous Scone Spy destination, Kirkintilloch.

Cafe Mariana has a welcoming array of tables outside. And as we pop our heads in we are told there’s another eating area out back.

“Out the door, turn right, then left” says the friendly young waitress.

We find ourselves in a narrow, red-gravelled back yard with a long bench running down one side and an area at the back half-covered by a pergola and a few tables.

It’s all in the shadow of the neighbouring St Mary’s church.

The party at the adjoining table are ordering some pasta dishes while musing whether a shandy will act as a suitable reviver after the previous night’s over-indulgence.

Down to scone business, and we order ours toasted for a change. Very nice it is too with lashings of jam and butter.

As the sun is beating down we’ve opted for some ice cream alongside our warmed-up chocolate cake. And a moist and crumbly apple slice rounds it all off in tasty fashion.

With accompanying drinks it comes to just over £12.

With welcome warmth beating down, as I’ve said why would you want to be anywhere else?

Cafe Mariana, 141 Cowgate, Kirkintilloch