Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Position oven rack in the top half of oven.
Sift flour, sugar, nutmeg and salt into a bowl. Add butter. Using fingertips, rub butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Make a well in centre of mixture. Add buttermilk and pumpkin. Using a flat-bladed knife, stir until a sticky dough forms. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead gently until just smooth.
Using a lightly floured rolling pin, gently roll dough out until 2cm thick. Using a 6cm fluted-edge cutter, cut out scones. Press leftover dough together. Repeat to make 12 scones.
Place scones, just touching, on prepared tray. Brush with buttermilk. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden and hollow when tapped on top. Serve with cream cheese or ricotta and chives.
