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Scone Spy: Tip-off pays off at the Chestnut Tree Coffee Shop outside Perth

Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)
Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)

As regular readers will know, I do love a tip-off.

And so it is one sunny Monday morning that I find myself jaunting to Glencarse, just outside Perth.

A fellow scone lover has recommended I fit in a trip to The Chestnut Tree Coffee Shop.

He’s a man who knows all about a decent scone – almost as much as me.

“It’s not a glamorous place,” he writes. “But delicious scones baked twice daily.”

Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)
Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)

Say no more, Mr M. I’m on my way.

Glencarse is a wee place and the cafe isn’t hard to find. As I pull up, I realise that my tipster wasn’t wrong.

Glamorous it isn’t.

But it has a sort of quirkiness to it, ample parking and looks clean and tidy.

Inside, it’s actually quite charming, with wooden flooring, plants on the tables and a decent stack of newspapers. And I get a lovely welcome as I check out the specials on the blackboard, with the waitress explaining there are menus on the tables.

Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)
Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)

Sometimes the simplest dishes sound the best.

So I’m tempted by the sound of a bacon roll.

Come on – you know you can’t beat it!

In fact, just the other day a long-term vegetarian confessed he’d had a lapse when he smelt frying bacon.

Understandable, my friend.

But I’m not sure if this is just a breakfast choice or not. And I’m overcome with a fit of shyness and am too bashful to ask if they’re still available.

Besides, there’s a little voice in my head.

And for once it isn’t ranting about the state of the nation.

“Go on, live a little. Try something different,” it says.

And so I find myself ordering a panini with chorizo, mozzarella and tomato.

Just after I’ve ordered, a couple come in. They don’t even look at the menu, but stride up to the counter, exchange pleasantries with the waiter and order: “Our usual. Two amazing bacon rolls.”

Oh, the pain. I fear I’ve made a mistake and wonder if I can fit in a panini, bacon roll and scone.

But that would just be silly. I’d need to curl up in the armchair in the corner for a sleep after it.

I needn’t have worried, anyway. The panini is lovely. A delicious combination.

And the main event, the scone, comes with homemade raspberry jam and cream.

Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)
Chestnut Tree coffee shop in Glencarse (Chris Austin/DC Thomson)

My tipster was spot on. This place isn’t glamorous. But it serves delicious food and they know about decent coffee, too.

I could spend all afternoon here. But sadly, I need to head in to the office.

In a fit of generosity, I buy some cake and pecan and fudge shortbread for my colleagues who are holding the fort. Maybe I’m trying to buy popularity.

It works. For a wee while, at least!

WARM WELCOME 9/10 LOCATION, LOCATION 7/10 SCONE SCORE 9/10


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