Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
Using a pastry blender cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse meal with some larger pea size chunks of butter still remaining.
Fold in the grated almond paste using a rubber spatula.
In a large measuring cup combine the buttermilk, almond extract and 1 egg. Blend with a small whisk until combined.
Add the buttermilk mixture to the flour and butter mixture. Fold together using the spatula until a dough starts to come together. Do not over mix.
Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead gently to combine. Press the dough out and sprinkle the cranberries on top. Fold the dough over a few times to incorporate the cranberries.
Press the dough into a ¾ inch thick round and cut into scones using a 2 ½ inch biscuit cutter.
Place the scones 2 inches apart on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Brush each scone with the egg and water mixture. Sprinkle with coarse sugar, then sliced almonds, then a little more coarse sugar.
Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove to a wire rack to cool.