Mark Beaumont, cyclist and round-the-world-explorer

The Glenlyon Tearoom at Bridge Of Balgie, near Aberfeldy, Perthshire (01887 866221)

What makes it so special?

It's a great wee place I found when I was out on the bike. From Loch Tay you have a killer three-mile climb, one of the best in Scotland, over the Ben Lawers road. That's followed by a four-mile descent down a singletrack road through moorland with sheep all over the place. So three miles up, four miles down, and then you come to a tiny little humpback bridge and this fantastic tearoom.

How did you discover it?

Although I grew up not too far away from there, I didn't discover Glenlyon until I started doing events there. I found it while training for the Highland 100, which takes you right past the front door.

It's about 50 miles from where I live, so if I do a big training run Glenlyon is around my halfway point – which makes it the perfect spot for soup and a sandwich.

Who do you go with?

Sometimes by myself, but often with my wife, Nicci, or friends.

What do you order?

Usually soup or a sandwich. They do amazing homemade cakes. The owner Becky's scones with jam and cream are famous. She does a brilliant carrot cake, but my favourite is the pistachio and almond cake.

All-time favourite moment?

I can remember a couple of times, early season, climbing up from Loch Tay and being boiling hot when I reached the top – then doing the descent and being frozen by the time I got to the bottom. Walking into the tearoom for a bowl of soup or a hot chocolate afterwards is a fantastic feeling. There have been times when I've been on a tough training run against the clock and not been able to stop – and it's the hardest place to pedal past.

Best for -

Cyclists, hillwalkers and outdoors types. It's nice to stop-off on a drive too.

Avoid if -

You're looking for a posh afternoon tea. Glenlyon Tearoom is rustic, more of a muddy-boots-and-Goretex kind of place. The tearoom seats about 12 people at two long trestle tables so you are likely to end up with other people – it's wonderfully sociable.

Don't leave without trying -

The pistachio and almond cake.

Mark Beaumont is an ambassador for adventure challenge company WildFox Events. He will be taking part in the Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge on June 23 and the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon on July 14. Visit www.wildfoxevents.com.

Alex Gray, crime author

Courtyard Cafe, Knockraich Farm, Fintry, Stirlingshire (01360 860132, www.makinginteriors.com)

What makes it so special?

I find it a soothing place. You come up a wee country lane off the Fintry road and in front of you is this big farm. You park next to a pen of hens who come up to the fence and cluck away. From there you walk through lovely gardens to reach the tearoom.

Inside, the tables are beautifully set with fresh flowers and nice cloths. They do fantastic home baking – not least a brilliant scone. At the counter they sell pots of jam and – if the hens have been obliging – fresh eggs.

There is something light and bright about the place which lifts the mood. It's so warm and cosy, even the toilets are decorated with lovely wallpaper.

How did you discover it?

When my daughter Susie moved to Kippen seven years ago.

Who do you go with?

Usually Susie and sometimes my grandchildren Eloise, four, and Blake, two. Eloise's other grandma and I took her to the ice-cream parlour, next to the tearoom, for her birthday last year.

The owners make their own ice-cream and have everything a child could possibly want to put on top – there are about 40 types of sprinkles and gummy bears.

What do you order?

They have a great range of Suki Tea, such as red berry and golden citrus, served in green teapots. You can sit there sipping your tea, crumbling a scone and putting the world to rights.

All-time favourite moment?

Being spoiled as a birthday treat. It's always lovely being surrounded by family. When Blake was younger we put him down on the sofa to sleep and another customer came in, didn't notice and almost sat on top of him.

Avoid if -

You are a fast food fan. It's not your chips-with-everything kind of place.

Don't leave without trying -

I would recommend a scone with fresh butter and jam. In the summer they do lovely lemonade and the homemade ice-cream is pretty special too.

Alex Gray will be appearing at Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival in Stirling from September 14-16. Visit www.bloodyscotland.com.

Louise Quinn, musician

Tea Garden, Kerrera, Argyll (01631 570223)

What makes it so special?

It's on the beautiful island of Kerrera, a 10-minute ferry trip from Oban, on the rugged south coast. It's beside the atmospheric 16th-century Gylen Castle, which is also worth visiting. The location is peaceful with almost no people – and definitely no cars.

Who do you go with?

My husband, Bal. We play gigs and record music together, but in our spare time we like to amble around tearooms. I'm always quietly working away on my good scone guide. My mum told me one of my relatives from Aberdeen had been a spey wife. I'm convinced I've inherited this talent and insist on reading everyone's tea leaves.

What do you order?

Usually soup and/or a fruit scone with butter and strawberry jam.

All-time favourite moment?

Just sitting in the sun being served tasty food. It's what I imagine a tearoom in heaven would be like.

Best for -

If you like the sea, good soup and scones it's a must.

Avoid if -

You don't like walking or the outdoors.

Don't leave without trying -

The nettle soup is delicious but I recommend any of the home baking. The apple juice with mint was just what the doctor ordered after a hike round the island.

Oh Jackie by Louise Quinn and Kid Loco is available for download from www.abandcalledquinn.com from June 18. They play The Old Hairdressers, Glasgow, on June 22.

Louise Linton, actor

The Old Library Tearoom, Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder, Perthshire (01877 384622)

What makes it so special?

Nestled in a blue wooden house, the tearoom draws you in with its warm glow – it feels magical. All around the front door are herbs and flowers spilling out of pots – there's even a pair of little red welly boots which serve as home to daisies and yellow pansies. They seem to say: "Welcome. Come in and try our cakes -"

Opening the heavy wooden door you find yourself in a magical haven – tiny tables, gingham tablecloths, friendly staff and an abundance of sensational cakes and pastries. The problem is choosing which one to order, which is why my family try several and share – although admittedly sharing isn't easy. Last time we visited, we all eyed the last square of millionaire's shortcake stranded in the middle of the table before my dad "rescued" it.

You feel compelled to match teas with cakes as you might when fine dining. "Do you think Earl Gray would complement the beetroot cake or might it overpower the delicate rosewater flavour? Perhaps a simple Scottish Breakfast would be better, and not too strong, or maybe jasmine tea? I bet that would bring out the pistachio."

How did you discover it?

My dad was looking at a wee cottage for sale on the shores of Loch Voil. He didn't buy it but we had a great cup of tea and a nice chat.

Being based in Los Angeles for so many years has made me crave this kind of Scottish outings – despite the fact the day began with rain. I hunkered down in the back of the car with my sister. As we wound our way out of Edinburgh and pushed north-west the low undulating hills gave way to jagged peaks.

By the time we reached Balquhidder the sun had pushed through the clouds and it was a glorious day. I'm coming home this month and I'm going to suggest another family trip to the tearoom.

Best for -

People who are looking for a unique experience. The staff are great and the food delicious. It feels like Snow White's cottage and, when sitting outside, you almost expect to see her singing at a well with songbirds dancing around her.

Don't leave without trying -

The beetroot cake with rosewater and pistachio.

Louise Linton is nominated for Scottish Fashion Icon at the Scottish Fashion Awards on June 11. Her latest film, She Wants Me, is out this later this year.

Rachel Sermanni, singer-songwriter

The Potting Shed Tearoom, Inshriach Nursery, near Aviemore, Inverness-shire (01540 651287)

What makes it so special?

The Potting Shed Tearoom is a lovely place on the Rothiemurchus Estate. The tearoom is part of a nursery so people often pop in after they have been to buy plants. It's popular with walkers and those out for a drive too.

It probably couldn't seat more than 20 people. You can sit in front of a long window looking out over the trees, which have lots of bird feeders. I love watching the birds and you always see a squirrel or five as well – red ones, not grey.

How did you discover it?

I started going with my parents when I was young. There are beautiful walks around the area so we would often stop off on the way back. It is such a treat to do that after a wet and boggy walk.

What do you order?

They do fantastic summer-fruit and fresh-cream cakes, so I usually plump for one those with a coffee. One speciality is the White Lady – named after one of the ski runs in the Cairngorms – which has cream, apricots, white Danish marzipan and walnuts. Another favourite of mine is the homemade chocolate gateau – and the pear tarts are amazing.

All-time favourite moment?

I always seem to go on a rainy day so it's nice looking out the window with cake and coffee, being cosy when it's wet outside.

Rachel Sermanni's latest single, Eggshells, is out now. Visit www.rachelsermanni.net.