I’M out and about in pretty Falkland, surely one of the prettiest villages in the Kingdom of Fife.
And then it looks even better, when I come across Campbell’s Coffee House.
I’ve dined in this particular building years ago, before it was Campbell’s.
It was no great shakes. I remember it being a bit dark and gloomy.
What a revelation!
They’ve spruced the place up no end. It’s bright, airy and inviting.
I’ve wandered in without booking, thinking I would get a table no problem.
It’s 11.30am on a dreich Tuesday. In some places, they’d practically be begging potential customers to come through their doors.
Not here. It’s packed. What the jiggins is going on?
I’m with an interesting chum today. She’s worked in the scone industry. Let’s just say she knows a thing or two about cakes and scones. We check out the goodies at the counter.
“What’s that cake?” asks my chum, pointing to a big beast of a cake that hasn’t been sliced yet.
“Carrot cake,” says our smiley waitress.
“And what’s the one in front of it?” she says, pointing to the one in front of it with slices out of it.
“That’s also carrot cake,” she says.
“Could be yesterday’s,” says my chum with a James Bond-style raised eyebrow.
Then she proceeds to quiz her about what the frosting is made of. It seems to please her because she orders it.
Then she confesses back at our table that there’s nothing wrong with selling cake from yesterday. She used to do it all the time.
She’s got the devil in her, that one. And she says her carrot cake is just peachy.
I’ve ordered potato skins with cheese and roasted tomatoes.
Sounds nice enough.
Mamma mia! It’s delicious. The cherry tomatoes, roasted to perfection, are so sweet I can’t get enough of them.
And I don’t often say that about fruit or veg.
My scone is equally good. With dods of cherry and white chocolate, it’s a sweet treat.
My chum goes to the toilets – clean and accessible – and a woman appears at my table and starts clearing up.
Strange. I could swear she was sitting with another lady when I came in.
“They’re really busy, so I thought I’d help out,” she says.
Well. Am I supposed to grab a brush and sweep up, or do some dishes?
I hope not. I’m a lazy lump.
It turns out the owners are her nephews. She is indeed in for lunch, but she’s switched to full-on helpful auntie mode because they’re so busy .
She’s such a proud auntie, she can’t resist telling me about her nephews and how well they’re doing.
Campbell’s is a lovely wee coffee shop. Auntie is right to be proud.
Verdict
Warm Welcome 7/10, Location, Location 9/10, Scone Score 8/10
Looking for a scone near you? View our interactive map of Scone Spy reviews:
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe