Scone Spy: Our cafe critic checks out Time in Hamilton

Watching the rain lash down outside, it’s tempting to stay cosied up in my nice warm house.

That’s the thing about autumn. It’s a strange change in the seasons that makes you want to hibernate. But, whatever the weather, there are always scones to be eaten – and time in the land of scones waits for no one, so off I go in search of a scrumptious sweet treat to tell you about.

Today, I find myself visiting Hamilton in Lanarkshire. It’s a busy enough place, even on this dreich day.

Right in the centre, I spot Time, a little coffee and food bar. It looks so warm and welcoming, I shake out my brolly and step inside. It is scone o’clock, after all.

This family empire, run by mother and daughter team Lisa and Linda, is the culmination of years of experience in the restaurant trade and the perfect place to showcase Linda’s dab-handedness in the kitchen.

From the stone walls to the colourful paintings and the huge clock, it’s a homely wee place, with homemade food and baking too.

A friendly waiter escorts me to a table by the window where I can watch the world go by as I sip coffee and peruse the menu. There’s breakfasts and bagels, salads and sharing plates. But watching the rain outside, I opt for a big bowl of homemade minestrone soup.

With chunks of carrot and celery and a sprinkle of black pepper, it hits the spot on a cold day. Were it not for the filling panini on the side, I’d have asked for seconds.

The sweet treat cabinet is well stocked, with carrot and chocolate cake, huge strawberry tarts, cupcakes and tasty looking traybakes. However, given my role as the spy of scones, it’s of course the huge homebaked buns that hold my attention.

Plain, fruit or apple and cinnamon, the flavours change every day. I choose plain with butter and jam. From the moment the waiter plonks it on the table, I know it’s going to be a struggle to finish. But, every bite of this fluffy bake is so delicious, it’s not long before there are only crumbs left.

As I head out the wind and rain again, I realise there’s always time for a scrumptious scone, whatever the weather.