Sophie’s Scones

Sophie lives on the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Her Gaelic lilt is so gentle that it is almost lost in the sound of the gale, but she suggests that the less the dough is handled the lighter the scones will be. Buttermilk or yoghurt lightens them still further and the dough should be patted out thickly as thin scones can become hard.

In Scotland these were served spread with whipped cream and then jam. In Devon I would use clotted cream — and it makes all the difference if