I discovered the best cake in a Perthshire baker that I'd never heard of before

My plan was to make a pilgrimige to Wild Hearth Bakery in Comrie.

Sadly, it was shut on a Sunday, so serendipity - well, Google - led me to Damsel Bakery in Crieff instead.

What a discovery. 

This year old place is owned by Emily Hart and her partner, David Stevenson.

As well as sourdough loaves, baguettes and focaccia, the couple offer coffee that’s made with beans from the excellent Fife roastery Modern Standard. 

On our visit, under the counter, there were savoury Danishes, croissants and buns that were topped with tomato, shallot and thyme. 

Cake counter | Gaby Soutar

However, the sweeter option of orange blossom and anise bun was the most appealing to me, and not only because it was easily the biggest cake under the counter. This turned out to be an intense and sophisticated flavour combo that left my fingers and the car upholstery, on our drive back to Edinburgh, coated in sugar.

This wasn’t my only foodie surprise in Crieff, where the Dior show took place at Drummond Castle Gardens back in June, and which is the location for the Michelin-starred restaurant The Glenturret Lalique. 

We also passed the excellently named Petit Yellow Velo - a cycling coffee shop and roastery at 16 High Street (www.petityellowvelo.com) - as well as Bannisters (1 James Square), where they serve bagels including breakfast versions and the Reuben with roast beef. 

Petit Yellow Velo | Gaby Soutar

Those are relative newcomers, but there are also stalwarts including Gordon & Sturward, which is apparently most famous for its sugar mice. This sweet shop’s window is packed with classics, like army and Navy lozenges, Moffat toffee and Victorian cough candy. 

Sweets | Gaby Soutar

I waited in line to buy a brick of Isle of Skye sea salted tablet, but gave up because the queue had built up thanks to a customer who was glacially selecting individual handmade chocolates from their massive selection.

Just as well - that and the bun might have made for too much sugar in one day.

Damsel Bakery, 5 West High Street, Crieff (Instagram @damselbakery)