The scone of Scone

None of the Acts of Parliament laying out the governance of the National Trust mention scones, yet the two things are closely linked in the public mind. The glorious achievement of Sarah Merker, we report today, has been to eat a scone in every one of the 244 National Trust properties where they are found. In her blog about the decade-long pursuit, she celebrates the historical joys of each place. At Chedworth Roman villa, for example, she examines the hypocaust and wonders at the mosaics. But then a cloud drifts across the sunny day: “I was very disappointed by the lack of scones.” Perhaps the author’s quest is not ended after all. She has left out Scotland, with its own National Trust. One of its tearooms is at Branklyn Garden, Perth, in walking distance of Scone itself. A comparative tasting is imperative.