Highlands & Islands
Arlene's Coffee Shop was our first stop on the Isle of Mull . Just across from the Craignure ferry terminal lies this very busy little shop that caters for takeaway food,Coffees and sit- in Customers alike . I was only interested in the Cakes and boy was there Cakes. Right in front of me as you enter the shop is the biggest display of Homemade Cakes that you have ever seen from Cakes, Mousses ,Chocolates to Sponges,Traybakes and Cheesecakes. I would have been impressed just to stand and look at the Cakes alone. This is a mother and daughter team ,Ishbel and Arlene that are a hardworking duo in this busy shop . I arrived early and caught them all in a busy lunch time so i was happy just to gaze at the Cakes until a huge plate of almost every cake was delivered to my table . Left alone to my own devices i was in heaven. I tried the maple syrup and pecan Cheesecake,The Passion fruit and Blackcurrant Mousse cake ,Fruit Slice, Shortbread Pistachio and Lime cake and my new all time favourite - A Moorish Chocolate and Coconut slice - heavens above this was all first class Baking and skilled into the bargain. To Bake this size of display of cakes to the standard that is being achieved here is hard work and dedication ,but the skill involved is worthy of a Five star restauarant . Next time you decide to drive past a ferry terminal array of shops - think again as you may just be missing the best Cakes you have ever tasted .Well done Arlene's Coffee Shop and your team and keep up the good work.
Duart Castle Tearoom sits in the stunning grounds alongside Duart Castle - ancestral home of the Clan MacLean. When we arrived the sun broke out of the Sky and lit the whole stunning location alight. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry sails in and out past this Castle that has stood proudly since the 13th Century. The castle today is still occupied by Lachlan MacLean and is a beautiful example of our history in this country . Anyhow i digress , I was warmly welcomed by the manager Susan who gave me a quick run through all the cakes and recipes that they bake all day long in the old Byre belonging to the Castle. I sat at the end of the converted Byre and tried Shortbread ,Carrot cake ,Gluten Free brownies,Flapjacks and my favourite of all time A fruit cake Hunk ( I say Hunk as this was no fruit loaf slice ) This was quite simply the most moist ,tasty and superbly made Fruit Cake .This was an old recipe i was told and i still insist that no matter how many millions of recipes there are out there in fancy books by bakers and chefs you have never heard ,that the old recipes passed down through the generations are simply the best . A pleasure to meet Susan and all the Bakers of which none do any more than the other . The vegetable and fruit garden in the grounds supplies the Tearoom for their salads and soups and i love this self sustainable way that today they are still maintaining the ways of the past . I loved Duart castle and everything about it and if you get the chance this is a must stop if ever in Mull . Well done Clan MacLeans !!
Jon and Linda Pear run this very quaint and remote Tearoom from their home in Carbost - Isle of Skye. Jon is a professional Photographer and is not short of beauty in this stunning location on Skye . A real hit with Hillwalkers and Climbers this Tearoom is very busy . Linda provides the setting and the delicious Homemade Cakes. Too often i meet people like Linda that dont realise the talent they have and are not in need of being Awarded as they dont see the art of baking as anything special . WRONG ..... Linda and i am here to tell you that if more people baked like you as well as they could market themselves then the baking world would be a better place . The best Bakers that we have found in our long quest do not realise how good they are . The BEST Bakers are quite often not keen on the limelight or egotistical enough to market themselves properly and thats why i am glad to do just that for them . Linda your cakes were quite simply "Perfection" in my opinion . From the Apple and Walnut Cake to the Honey Cake and through to the Dundee Cake and Victoria Sandwich each were as perfectly baked as the next . Well done Linda and keep up the great Baking. We will be back soon .