Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Combine flours, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter and mix well until the mixture has the texture of coarse meal.
Stir in nuts or cheese and herbs. Then add buttermilk and mix with a fork until dough just holds together.
Form biscuits either by dropping spoonfuls onto a baking sheet, or by lightly kneading, rolling and cutting out the biscuits.
Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown.