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With Afternoon Tea Week in full swing, we take a look at the best places in Scotland to treat yourself to some tea and cakes.
From an Italian inspired tea to more traditional offerings, there's something for all no matter when you want to treat yourself.
(27 Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1QF)
Picture; Damm27
Those who like their afternoon tea with a bit of Gallic flair should head to the southside and the newly refurbished Damm27.
Oozing ‘ooh la la’, Le Goûter (France’s answer to Afternoon Tea) lets you can enjoy filled croissants and dainty French pastries impeccably arranged on marble cake stands.
Served with tea or coffee, the selection of sweet and savoury delights is available Monday to Saturday, with boozy upgrades available including prosecco, cocktails and a luxurious glass of Perrier Jouet champagne.
Price: £12.50. Ugrades: prosecco\cocktail, £17.50, champagne, £22.50.
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A limited-edition, butterfly-themed afternoon tea will be served in Edinburgh's Ivy from Monday, 8 July to Sunday, 1 September, giving guests the chance to enjoy a new twist on The Ivy on the Square’s afternoon delights.
The special afternoon tea, served from 3pm-5pm, will feature an array of both sweet and savoury treats, including truffled chicken brioche roll, marinated cucumber and dill sandwiches, warm fruited scones with Dorset clotted cream and chocolate salted caramel mousse.
Completing the afternoon tea will be an indulgent chocolate pot topped with colourful chocolate butterflies.
Price: 18.95. Upgrades: Champagne Butterfly Afternoon Tea, £26.50.
Picture; Monboddo
Find a fabulous afternoon tea for two just a short stroll from Edinburgh’s Grassmarket and close to Edinburgh Castle, at Monboddo on Bread Street.
From 12-6pm, enjoy sumptuous sandwiches and savouries, including brie and tomato chutney tarts, fluffy scones with clotted cream alongside delicate sweet treats like chocolate cake, lemon curd cake and sticky toffee pudding cake. Stick with the traditional cuppa, or why not upgrade to Prosecco for some extra sparkle?
Price: £15. Upgrades: Prosecco, £7.
Picture: Apex Waterloo Place
Housed in the building that was constructed 200 years ago as Edinburgh’s first purpose-build hotel, Apex Waterloo Place Hotel serves afternoon tea in historic surroundings.
As part of the hotel’s bicentenary celebrations, guests can enjoy a gin-themed overnight stay – including an afternoon tea with a botanical twist.
B&B with G&T centres around the bespoke gin created in conjunction with Eden Mill to celebrate the hotel’s 200th anniversary – ‘The 1819’ – and pays homage to one of the hotel’s most famous guests, botanist Asa Gray.
As well as an overnight stay including full Scottish breakfast, the stay includes a gin-themed afternoon tea for two, with a bespoke cocktail expertly shaken at the table by the hotel’s in-house mixologist using the exclusive, limited edition anniversary gin.
The cocktail is served alongside three tiers of dainty sandwiches, delicate sweet treats and delicious sultana scones with clotted cream and jam.
Price: from £240 throughout summer and £200 throughout winter.
Picture: Scotsman Picturehouse
Film lovers can combine watching a favourite film with afternoon tea at the newly opened Scotsman Picturehouse.
The boutique, 48 seat Picturehouse at The Scotsman hotel in Edinburgh will capitalise on the growing demand for unique cinema experiences.
The Scotsman Picturehouse features ornate Edwardian cornice-work, wood panelling and luxurious bespoke red leather and velvet armchairs and sofas, each softly lit by table lamps. Opening to
The Picturehouse will a screen a mixture of classic masterpieces, the latest releases, modern cult favourites and curated cultural content such as ballets and operas.
Price: from £34.95 per person on Saturdays and Sundays from 11.45am.
Picture: The Scottish Cafe
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant in Edinburgh has re-opened its doors following an extensive seven-month refurbishment, and is an ideal spot in the capital for afternoon tea.
The traditional Afternoon Tea includes a freshly made selection of sandwiches, Isle of Mull Cheese scones with Bellhaven smoked trout with Katy Rodger’s creme fraiche, homemade fruit scones and a perfect selection of homemade petit fours.
Price: £25 per person.
During the Festival period only, The Scottish Cafe is offering a special £25 Fringe ticket for its Afternoon Tea, including an Edinburgh Gin and Tonic.
Picture: Kimpton Blythswood Square
The 5 star Kimpton Blythswood Square is a Georgian terrace commanding one side of Blythswood Square in the centre of Glasgow.
The Afternoon Tea begins with an amuse bouche followed by a decadent stand per person with dainty finger sandwiches, homemade scones, fruit and plain with strawberry preserve and clotted cream; and delicious bitesize cakes. Each guest receives chocolate truffles to take home and enjoy.
Served in the modern Salon overlooking the square, Champagne can also be served along with the tea.
For those looking for a bargain, the Midweek Tea for Two consists of the usual afternoon tea offering for £35 instead of £35 per person, from Mon-Fri, 12pm-5pm.
Price: normally £35 per person. Upgrade: a glass of Moet & Chandon Imperial Epernay, £11.
Picture: Eusebi Deli
Eusebi Deli in Glasgow’s West End has announced a one-off afternoon tea with a unique Italian twist on Friday 16 August to mark Afternoon Tea Week 2019.
In celebration of Afternoon Tea Week, which runs from the 12-18 August, the Eusebi team will be serving up a variety of both sweet and savoury delicacies with a glass of prosecco, an Aperol Aperitivo or a mocktail from 3pm-5pm.
Giovanna Eusebi, Owner of Eusebi Deli, said: “We are delighted to be holding Eusebi’s first ever afternoon tea to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week.
"My family has been working to deliver an authentic Italian experience in the heart of Glasgow for the past four decades, and our afternoon tea will be a new way for our loyal customers to enjoy our freshly-made focaccias, cakes and pastries.”
Price: £35 per person.
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Indulge in afternoon tea in the newly refurbished setting of one of Glasgow's iconic and original tearooms.
Located on Sauchiehall Street, Mackintosh at the Willow showcases some of the famous designer and architect's work, which can be enjoyed alongside a traditional offering of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones.
Afterwards a tour of the exhibition is a must to find out more about Charles Rennie Mackintosh's lasting relationship with pioneer, Miss Cranston, and their work on her famed tearooms in the city.
The tearoom has also recently opened a roof terrace, ideal for al fresco afternoon tea.
Price: £21 per person. Upgrades: Champagne afternoon tea, £27; Prosecco afternoon tea, £24; Gin afternoon tea, £25; Whisky afternoon tea, £24.
Picture: Gleneagles Facebook
Probably one of the best know Scottish hotels, Gleneagles is an ideal location for a decadent afternoon tea.
Theirs is served in the Glendevon Room, a peaceful oasis where diners can indulge in the great British tradition while enjoying views over the gardens and toward the Ochil hills.
The menu features a selection of sweet and savoury items that can be enjoyed alongside a selection of teas by Newby of London.
Guests feeling in a decadent mood can upgrade to include a glass of Rose Champagne, and anyone with dietary requirements don’t despair, as vegetarian and gluten free menus are available.
Price: £45 per person. Upgrades: add a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut NV Champagne, 62.50; add a glass of Veuve Clicquot Rose Champagne, 65.00.
Picture: Doubletree by Hilton
Set among six acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, this modern hotel enjoys a quiet suburban location, a short drive from Dundee city centre.
Take afternoon tea in the quiet lounge or Italian Gardens if the weather is good.
The tea is a traditional affair and includes a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes and pastries and a pot of tea each.
Price: £10 per person.
Picture: Turnberry
Indulge in afternoon tea while overlooking Ailsa Craig and the Isle of Arran from Grand Tea Lounge & Bar at Turnberry.
Tea connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice with over 20 types of tea available to choose from on the Sommeliers Trolley, including the Turnberry special blend, selected from Fairtrade certified farms in Kenya, Assam and Sri Lanka, with a smooth, mellow character.
Afternoon tea options include a traditional offering, sparkling afternoon tea or a Hendrick's gin afternoon tea.
All include a selection of handmade sandwiches, pastries and freshly baked scones with cream and preserves, all served on a traditional tea stand.
Price: £32 per person. Upgrades: Hendrick's and Sparkling, £42 per person.
