Another Sunday trip to the great outdoors in Aboyne – and another semi-mad dash to make it to my chosen cafe before closing. 

This time I decided to repeat an illicit (done during Covid) walk up Mortlich and as I was soaking up the late spring heat – and hoping not to get soaked in the looming rain – I decided to grab my post-hike treat in Finzean. 

I repeatedly drive through this village on Sundays as it offers a quicker route than the more straightforward North Deeside Road, but only on this occasion did I notice my final destination signposted – probably because I was looking out for it!

As a farmshop, it is off the beaten track, but reachable by road from two sides – and offering stunning views in between. Sadly, that rain was fast approaching, so I settled for sitting in rather than enjoying the country air.

The farmshop is compact but extensive – a repurposed farmhouse serving as a greengrocers, gift shop doubling up as tearoom and an extension that looked like a restaurant but was empty on this occasion. Ignoring all the preserves and stationery and other farm-themed knickknacks, I headed for the counter and pastry case at the far left of the tearoom to help me pick my sweet treat. Uncharacteristically for me, I went for carrot cake, but to place my order I was invited to take a seat first on the opposite end of the shop. 

I was seen to quite quickly, but I think my order got temporarily lost as ended up being served after the newly arrived patrons; all of the staff members were female and vast majority looking to be of student age – and most seemed preoccupied with end-of-day activities such as tidying up and stock checking. 

Once my coffee finally arrived, I had to appreciate the topical presentation: the cocoa deer adorning a rather substantial drink. 

I was ready for it so I went for it – and got burnt, literally! It was too hot for rapid consumption so I had to focus on my cake first; but that first sip was enough to discern that the drink resembled more a hot chocolate than a coffee underneath the thin layer of milk. The positive is that it looked like real chocolate used rather than cocoa powder, as the last undissolved bits remained on the cup’s sides. 

Would I recommend it tho? Yes for a nice stop in the country, for a tasty cake and average coffee. But I know from my previous Aboyne adventures that there are better options for coffee snobs like me!

To find out more about the Finzean Farm Shop, visit their website.