A selection of Shetland cafes - June 2016

Victoria’s Vintage Tearooms – Isle of Unst, Shetland Islands

A diversion from tearooms in Central Scotland saw one of the bloggers make a trip to the most northerly tearoom in Britain. The journey involved a car, a plane, another car and two ferries, but the tearooms and views made the effort more than worthwhile. What a truly spectacular setting.

Victoria’s Vintage Tearooms opens on a Sunday just for tea and cakes, which after a generous Shetland B and B breakfast, suited me fine. The choice was impressive: scones, traybakes and either Victoria sponge or vanilla fudge cake. Large portions of cake, a tea pot with a cosy and charming vintage crockery, all served up with that view equalled café paradise. It’s such a shame it’s a bit too far to return next Sunday.

In the vicinity are the Unst Boat Haven and Unst Heritage Centre. Both are worth a visit, but make sure you schedule time on Unst to savour the cakes at Victoria’s.

Bonhoga Gallery and tearoom

The mid-west of Shetland mainland is an area almost devoid of cafes, according to the Tourist Information Centre in Lerwick, with the exception being the Bonhoga Gallery in Weisdale.  This café was a great find, and home to possibly the best cheese scone in Scotland.

I know my fellow blogger does not approve of cheese in the vicinity of scones, but for me a what could be better? Scone plus cheese, the perfect combination of sweet and savoury. Not all cheese scones are created equal however, the cheese scones at Bonhoga are something special.

Another generous B and B breakfast meant that as temping as the café’s intriguing advertised “Motzarella and tomato toasty” sounded, a full-on lunch wasn’t really required. Once I’d spotted cheese scones on the menu I was going no further. Imagine my delight when the cheese scone was served warm with a generous slice of actual cheese on top, and onion chutney to accompany this gastronomic find. Amazing views from the café, lovely art to browse after the food and friendly locals. Like Victoria’s Vintage Tearooms I just wish the Bonhoga Gallery was a bit closer to home.