ALEXANDER TAYLOR, 10 WATERSIDE STREET
This bakery, known as the Waterside Bakery, is the oldest family business in Strathaven, being established in 1820. It still inhabits the original shop. That small fact alone is worthy of rousing cheers. But, of course, this is much more than just a bakery. It is a gem. I could quite happily pop in and spend the rest of the day simply admiring their edible goodies. At Alexander Taylor's Waterside Bakery they make everything on the premises. I sampled one of their mixed vegetable quiches, and it was just stupendous. The cafe's on the other side of Waterside Street, a narrow street that can get very busy with traffic and impatient drivers (a strong case for pedestrianisation, methinks). While the cafe doesn't look like much to write home about, the soup they serve is made in the bakery using seasonal and local ingredients, and includes such varieties as 'Cream of Mushroom', 'Lentil', and the very original 'Lovage'. If you need just one good reason to visit Strathaven, then this is it.

THE OLD SMIDDY, LANE OFF GREEN STREET
This Old Smiddy sits beside a small watercourse not far from the tall spire of Strathaven's East Church. They have two soups on each day. It's always 'Lentil' and one other, like 'Carrot and Coriander'. As well as the coffee house there is an excellent range of gifts, and I can guarantee you will see many things you will want to buy.

J McGUIRE'S GREENGROCER, COMMON GREEN
This isn't a cafe or a coffee house, and they don't make or sell soup. So, why am I mentioning this small shop? Because it's one of the best little shops in the country for good fruit and vegetables, the latter which you can, of course, use to make soup. It's the sort of shop where you pop in for something simple like an apple, only to leave with overflowing armfuls of fresh local produce. Superb.