The indulgent and often sweetly decadent tradition of afternoon tea was ‘invented’ around 1840 by the Seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, after she found herself peckish during the period between lunch and late dinner. Now, as Mother’s Day quickly approaches (Sunday, 27 March), it’s the perfect excuse to carry on this tradition. Here, we round up some of the best afternoon tea spots in Scotland to make mum feel extra special this year.
MCLARENS ON THE CORNER
8 Morningside Rd, Edinburgh
EH10 4DD
Tuck into the McLarens Afternoon Tea which offers three tiers of elegant cakes and savoury offerings. Also included is an unlimited supply of tea and cafetiere coffee.
Priced at £25 per person, there is also the option to upgrade and add a glass of champagne for £34. Set in stylish surroundings and served with colourful decorative teacups and plates to complement the modern, graceful aesthetic, McLarens’ afternoon tea is a popular choice among all ages.
Available Friday to Sunday (from noon to 4pm), booking is essential. As well as having dreamy interiors, McLarens is known for its outdoor terrace and popular Ski Gondolas, which can also be pre-booked.
GLENEAGLES
Auchterarder, Perthshire
Gleneagles hotel has been offering afternoon tea to its clientele since 1924, so it’s no wonder that it continues to be one of the best loved in Scotland.
Served in the peaceful Glendevon Room, you and mum can relax in the beautiful surroundings and unwind over the new Beatrix Potter themed menu. Inspired by the author’s childhood holidays to Perthshire, the menu includes Johnny Town Mouse’s pea and potato croquettes, Little Pig Robinsons crumpet and crab, and Herdwick lamb sausage rolls with Mr McGregor’s cabbage. Sweet treats include a Squirrel Nutkin’s fruit and nut slice and a ‘hiding behind the blackcurrant bush’ currant bun.
Enjoy all this for £50 per person, with a glass of Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Brut N/V £68, or a glass of Veuve Clicquot-Ponsardin, Brut, Rosé £69. Open Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 – 3:30pm.
www.gleneagles.com/eat-drink/afternoon-tea
MACKINTOSH AT THE WILLOW
215-217 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow
G2 3EX
For a real taste of Glasgow and to try a place famous for afternoon tea, you really can’t go wrong with a trip to Mackintosh at the Willow in Glasgow.
The venue’s Tea Rooms are a credit to the A-listed building, which was originally designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for Miss Cranston. Afternoon tea takes centre stage at this 200-seat restaurant, spaced over three floors, with each space offering its own character and unique design including the Front and Back Saloons on the ground floor, the Gallery, the Billiard Room and the famous Salon de Luxe.
Guests can choose between the classic, vegetarian or vegan afternoon tea menus. Open daily from 12pm-4pm, priced at £25.95 per person, with multiple options to upgrade.
www.mackintoshatthewillow.com/tearooms
WALDORF ASTORIA EDINBURGH – THE CALEDONIAN
Princes St, Edinburgh EH1 2AB
To remind mum how special she is, the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian ticks a lot of boxes.
The hotel serves a carefully curated afternoon tea menu in Peacock Alley – a comfortable yet luxurious lounge that was once the former ticketing office of the Caledonian Railway Station. General Manager, Dale MacPhee, says: “Our pastry team here at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh has created a selection of unique afternoon teas for the year ahead to make sure that each guest enjoys an unforgettable experience from one visit to the next.”
The hotel features an array of themed afternoon teas throughout the year, and strives to champion fresh, local Scottish ingredients. Now £50/person, with the option to add a glass of champagne for £15.
www.thecaledonian.waldorfastoria.com
LODGE ON LOCH LOMOND
Luss, Alexandria G83 8PA
If your mum is the type to appreciate a scenic location over a bustling day in the city, then Lodge on Loch Lomond is an ideal place to indulge.
Roughly 40 minutes from Glasgow’s city centre, the Colquhoun’s Restaurant is situated on a private beachfront at Luss. Tucking into afternoon tea with views of the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond is a pleasure worth savouring. The afternoon tea package is £22.50 – £29.50 per person.
Colquhoun’s Restaurant’s far-reaching views and casual dining approach makes it a great location to spend quality time with mum. Afternoon tea is available from 12noon – 4pm daily.
THE OLD COURSE HOTEL
Old Station Rd, St Andrews
KY16 9SP
This award-winning afternoon tea experience is a popular choice for anyone gifting a special occasion.
Mother’s Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy a decadent afternoon at The Old Course Hotel in St Andrews. Served in either the hotel’s conservatory or the 4th floor restaurant, both offering far-reaching views across the Old Course to the coastline. The afternoon tea serves up sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries and a wide selection of teas – and of course a glass or two of champagne if desired.
This deal costs £25 per person or £37 with Classic Deutz Champagne.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here