There is something about this point in August that always stirs a perennially familiar feeling deep within my soul. A curious melancholy tinged with excitement. A nervous fluttering of butterflies in the stomach.

Never mind that it has been decades since I last stepped foot inside a classroom, there is an unmistakable back-to-school mood that hangs in the air. A blank page. New beginnings.

When I was growing up, my mum used to throw us a back-to-school party. It was a clever idea that took the edge off the summer holidays drawing to an end yet also helped frame the return to lessons in a positive light.

The premise was similar to a birthday bash, with friends coming over, fun games and lots of yummy snacks. We’re talking bowls of Quavers and Monster Munch, iced biscuits, sausage rolls, cupcakes, tiny sandwiches and marshmallow top hats.

To this day, these remain among some of my top-tier comfort foods. This fond reminiscing, in turn, got me ruminating about comfort food in general. Which is your favourite and........

© Herald Scotland