Scone Spy: The Drawing Room in Strathaven is the perfect place for a lazy Sunday

The Drawing Room in the pretty village of Strathaven in South Lanarkshire is as welcoming and comfortable as its name suggests.

I’ve always thought you can tell a good café by the age range of its patrons. While people-watching in The Drawing Room as we await our early brunch order, it’s plain to see this is a popular spot in the local community.

There’s babies snoozing in prams, young kids enjoying tuna sandwiches and sprinkle-topped cupcakes while watching cartoons to let their parents enjoy a well-deserved coffee and tasty lunch, teens slurping iced coffees (in this weather?!), and a few of us old folks in for food and a natter.

Like all good drawing rooms, this one includes a bar but, as the sun isn’t quite over the yardarm, we opt for coffee. I enjoy the novelty of fishing out sugar cubes from a caddy on the table and plopping them into my flat white.

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We’ve ordered off the brunch menu, which includes eggs done about five different and delicious ways, homemade soup, mac ‘n’ cheese, toasties, baked potatoes and some mouth-watering specials.

In the mood for a treat, we order eggs benedict and eggs “royale”, with the latter served with hot smoked salmon. Both are delicious, with delicately poached eggs and a light hollandaise sauce.

And, like all good cafes, one of the first things that catches the eye upon entering The Drawing Room is lovely collection of cake stands piled high with a selection of homemade treats.

As always, I’m thrilled to see a stack of plain and fruit scones piled behind the counter. A flash of pink catches my eye and I decide on a cherry scone. It is light and moreish; the tartness of the accompanying raspberry jam balances the sweetness of the glace cherries. However, I’m jealous of my friend’s banana muffin – a lovely spiced and light banana sponge topped with air-whipped cream cheese frosting. Yum!

For lazy Sundays in Strathaven, I definitely recommend retiring to The Drawing Room.