Scottish Classic Afternoon Tea with a Winter Twist

Monday 1st December 2025

12pm – 4pm

Afternoon tea is ever popular and Scotland is famed for its baking. Edinburgh New Town Cookery School has launched a new seasonal half-day course aimed at residents and visitors to the city.

Warm up this winter with a hands-on afternoon of baking and indulgence. In this cosy cookery class, you’ll learn how to prepare a seasonal selection of sweet and savoury delights, perfect for sharing over a pot of tea. The baking will take 3 hours and then you’ll have an hour to relax and eat your home baked afternoon tea with a glass of fizz and a cup of tea or coffee in our beautiful Georgian dining room with views over Queen Street Gardens. Guided step by step by our friendly teachers, you’ll create:

Spiced Shortbread, infused with warming winter spices

Cheese Scones, fresh from the oven

Chocolate & Blackberry Mini Pavlovas, with a crisp shell and soft centre

Marmalade Fruit Tea Loaf, brimming with dried fruits

The experience is perfect for a group of friends or family on holiday in the city who are looking for an afternoon activity with a difference or if you want to attend on your own and meet some like-minded bakers. If you have a group of at least 8 people and a different date in mind we will do our best to accommodate – just get in touch.

Dietary Requirements and Allergies:

• The recipes made on this course contain the following: GLUTEN, EGGS, DAIRY AND NOT SUITABLE FOR VEGANS*
• Please let us know of any dietary requirements, allergies or special accommodations required at the time of booking. We will be as flexible as possible, when we can, so as to be inclusive to all students but we may not be able to substitute ingredients in the recipes.
• We do everything we can to reduce the risk of cross contamination, however we cannot guarantee a completely allergen free environment and therefore our kitchens may be unsuitable for students with severe or life-threatening allergies.

*Please note this list is not exhaustive.

Age limit

Our one-day workshops and short courses are 16+ unless otherwise specified. Children aged 14 or 15 may attend with an adult over 18.

Course times

On the day, please arrive 11.45am and the class will begin at 12pm. The class will be finished by 4pm, depending on the course and class size it may finish earlier.

Please view the Short Course Terms and Conditions.