Top 7 Specialty Coffee Roasters in Scotland
When you think of Scotland, the first things that come to mind are probably whisky and other famous regional delicacies.
It might surprise you and even some residents of Scotland that there is also a thriving artisan coffee roasting industry in the country.
The best specialty coffee roasters in Scotland include MacBeans, Steampunk Coffee Roasters, and Common Coffee Roasters. High-quality roasts, subscription options, and ethical sourcing are a few reasons why they rank so highly. Glen Lyon and Dear Green are also excellent Scottish specialty roasters.
Whether you’re visiting the country or are a bonafide Scottish coffee enthusiast, you might want to know more about some of the top-rated roasters in the country.
We’ve got you covered: below, you’ll find more details to help you find the perfect brew in the land!
1. MacBeans (Aberdeen)
This Scottish coffee roaster has been around since 1989.
In 1994, they moved their operation across the street from 3 Little Belmont Street to 2 Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen, and have been there ever since.
As one might expect, due to their age, theirs is a more traditional roastery and shop setup, but this doesn’t mean they haven’t kept up with modern times.
MacBeans is the oldest roastery around Aberdeenshire.
Their longevity in the face of a growing industry is a testament to the quality of their roasts.
They source and roast beans from all over the world.
Owned and operated by one Ian Cucrowzki since its inception, MacBeans has stood the test of time for good reason.
Ian’s passion for coffee has taken him all over the world in search of the finest beans.
His travels inspired him to open MacBeans, bringing the tastes of the world right to the heart of Aberdeen.
The business was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic but has endured thanks to the loyal following they’ve built over the years.
Another key contributor to their survival is their highly personalized service: they even invite you to call them up to have a chat with one of the knowledgeable staff members who love interacting with customers and will do their best to accommodate your custom order and have it delivered to your door.
You can also pick up a subscription if you want to sample MacBean’s products over a few months.
This is also convenient if you can’t make it out to the shop.
They also boast one of the region’s most expansive loose tea selections, so it’s well worth dipping in if you’re in the area.
If you want a lot of beans, MacBeans are hard to beat in their competitively priced 5 kg Trade Coffee; this is great value for business owners or those who just can’t get enough MacBeans.
| Website | www.macbeans.com |
| Pack sizes | Up to 5 kg (11 lbs) |
| Bag price | £16 per kg |
| Whole bean & ground? | Both |
| Subscription service? | Yes |
2. Steampunk Coffee Roasters (East Lothian)
If you’re looking for a stylish, modern brew that doesn’t skimp on quality, East Lothian’s Steampunk might pique your interest.
Drawing inspiration from the eponymous pop culture, Steampunk is a roastery that looks toward the future while maintaining its uncompromising stance on quality.
This delightful little roastery is a highlight of the Scottish East Coast, loved equally by locals and visitors.
They offer a wide selection of coffees from all over the world, all roasted to perfection and available to order from their website.
You can choose from a selection of their finest roasts online, available by the bag.
You can also pick up a subscription if you want to sample Steampunk’s wares over time.
There’s also merchandise and equipment available if you need them – emblazoned with the roastery’s eclectic branding, of course.
Steampunk’s website is also informative if you access their blog page.
Here you can find all sorts of coffee-related advice, from tips on brewing and storing your coffee and how to check if your coffee is fair trade.
Of course, nothing beats enjoying the coffee on-site, where you can accompany it with some baked goods: flapjacks, brownies, and oaty chocolate chip cookies are available.
However, the banana bread seems to be a favorite.
| Website | www.steampunkcoffee.co.uk |
| Pack sizes | 250 g (8.9 oz) and 1 kg (35.2 oz) |
| Bag price | From £10 |
| Whole bean & ground? | Both |
| Subscription service? | Yes |
3. Common Coffee Roasters
Let’s trim the fat and get right down to business – that apparently appears to be Common’s philosophy.
With precisely four blends (not including the decaf), those weary of all the frilly jargon and pomp will appreciate this element of simplicity.
Sweet, Bright, Strong, and Complex are Common’s four blends, all ethically sourced and traceable back to the farms that produced them.
The simple names are a good indication of what to expect.
This uncomplicated self-presentation is refreshing amongst the many who market themselves using a carefully crafted narrative built around their brand and the almost indulgent practice of trying to tell a story when all you want is a good cup of coffee.
It all started out, as most good stories do, with a slight misadventure – Jason and Ash, the intrepid founders of the brand, attempted to start a business selling ice at festivals after noticing that the stuff wasn’t easy to find compared to their home country, New Zealand.
As you can imagine, ice didn’t sell well in the cooler weather, and at some point, coffee was added to the menu.
This kickstarted a journey that eventually led them to found Common, and the rest is history.
Common’s philosophy is as straightforward as their blends. It’s not just about the coffee – they see our favorite beverage as more than just a drink.
It’s a social tool bringing people together, and their aim is to make coffee as accessible as possible.
Their packaging is bright and simple, telling you clearly what to expect inside with a simple tasting note.
These coffees speak for themselves: they’re an excellent choice for beginners and those who don’t want to overcomplicate their choice when picking their beans on one of those red-eyed mornings.
| Website | www.commoncoffee.co.uk |
| Pack sizes | 250 g (8.9 oz) and 1 kg (35.2 oz) |
| Bag price | From £9 |
| Whole bean & ground? | Both |
| Subscription service? | Yes |
4. Glen Lyon (Aberfeldy)
Nestled in the highlands near Aberfeldy, Glen Lyon started out in 2011 and have since made a name for themselves with their great coffees and picturesque setting.
Glen Lyon weren’t always in Aberfeldy. They started out atop the Glenlyon, but the cumbersome task of navigating through the snow in this remote part of Scotland necessitated the move.
You won’t want to rush through here – the breathtaking scenery and smell of the roasting beans will surely delight even the surliest coffee fan.
Just check out the customer reviews on Google if you’re hesitant – it’s well worth venturing off the beaten track sometimes.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more personal roastery – the beans at Glen Lyon are carefully selected and roasted in small batches.
The sheer variety of coffees available worldwide is both a blessing and a curse for coffee lovers.
It can be challenging to find space to try all the different blends and roasts you want.
You can only drink so much coffee in a day – even if you love the stuff.
Subscription services offer a convenient solution, allowing you to sample various roasts and blends without committing to a full bag of coffee each time.
It gets overwhelming, especially when you find a real gem that you simply have to try but have that nagging at your conscience reminding you of all the half- and quarter-bags you’ve accumulated.
Many roasteries offer mail-order services, but the set-and-forget nature of a subscription will appeal to those who don’t always have time to pick the right brew.
This way, you can at least rest assured that you’ll be receiving your fix on the regular.
| Website | www.glenlyoncoffee.co.uk |
| Pack sizes | 250 g (8.9 oz) and 1 kg (35.2 oz) |
| Bag price | From £7.95 per 250 g |
| Whole bean & ground? | Both |
| Subscription service? | Yes |
5. Dear Green (Glasgow)
This Glasgow-based roastery spearheaded the #brewathome movement in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging coffee lovers to support their favorite coffee houses and their coffee habits from home in an effort to help curb the spread.
The pandemic may have receded, but Dear Green are still offering a subscription service for those who’d like to enjoy fine coffee in the comfort of their homes.
It’s still enjoyable to get out and experience the cafe culture, but it’s difficult to argue with the convenience of top-class coffee being delivered to your home.
If you’re gifting, they also offer vouchers and coffee paraphernalia that you can also order online.
This is great if you have one of those friends or family members who are very particular about their beans.
Vouchers aren’t the most exciting gifts, but it sure beats buying something when you aren’t sure if the other person will like it.
There’s much more to Dear Green. They’re also heavily involved in training and education around coffee, with a sharp focus on ethical sourcing and sustainability in an effort to ensure we can all enjoy a cup of exploitation-free Joe for generations to come.
So you’re not just getting a great coffee; you can feel good about it, too.
| Website | www.deargreencoffee.com |
| Pack sizes | 60 g (2.1 oz), 250 g (8.9 oz), 1 kg (35.2 oz) |
| Bag price | £10 – £15 per 250 g |
| Whole bean & ground? | Both various grind options |
| Subscription service? | Yes |
6. Luckie Beans (Edinburgh)
If you’re an environmentally conscious coffee-lover, this Edinburgh-based roastery’s claim to fame is that they source their beans ethically and use half as much gas as their competitors for their roasts.
This endeavor pays special attention to the technical aspect of roasting, aiming to roast as sustainably as possible.
They even install manual gas valves on their roasters for precise control and use an acclaimed Giesen roaster to craft their award-winning products.
Those wishing to share their love for Luckie Beans can partner with the brand.
Luckie Beans offer espresso machine rentals and also wholesale their beans, so if you own a restaurant or want to start a business with their amazing coffees, head over to their website for more information.
Luckie Beans coffees are available by mail order as both individual bags or subscriptions, coming in recyclable packaging that will fit neatly into the average mailbox.
If you’re in Edinburgh, you can visit their Haymarket Coffee Cart, which is fully equipped and stocked with bags of coffee, as well as a full menu of coffee- and tea-based beverages.
| Website | www.luckiebeans.co.uk |
| Pack sizes | 250 g (8.9 oz) and 1 kg (35.2 oz) |
| Bag price | From £7.50 per 250 g |
| Whole bean & ground? | Both |
| Subscription service? | Yes |
7. Unorthodox Roasters
The name says it all – these guys don’t play by the rules and offer a selection of light roasted coffees for those who prefer a milder, fruitier taste.
That said, there can be no compromise on freshness with a lighter roast since they’re much more sensitive to losing flavor if stored for a long time or incorrectly, and it’s for this reason most roasters take the middle ground and offer a range of roasts.
Unorthodox is another stylish, modern operation that focuses on a sustainable brew.
Those looking for bolder tastes may consider avoiding this brand, but every coffee lover knows you can’t knock a roast until you try it.
Besides, you can always gift the ones you don’t like.
Unorthodox Roasters offer coffee subscriptions in three-month, six-month, and one-year packages, which they deliver to your door each month.
You can select the quantity and grind you want, starting at 250 g (8.9 oz) up to 1 kg (35.2 oz).
If you need some new gear, Unorthodox also offer a selection of quality essentials – brewers, mugs, grinders, and even merchandise.
They also do teas and hot chocolates for those strange people in your life who don’t like coffee.
However, try to gift these non-coffee enthusiasts just one bag of Unorthodox’s marvelous light roasted beans – you might finally show them the error of their ways.
| Website | www.unorthodoxroasters.co.uk |
| Pack sizes | 250 g – 1 kg |
| Bag price | £9 – £12 per 250 g |
| Whole bean & ground? | Both various grind options |
| Subscription service? | Yes |
Be sure to check out our Coffee Roasters Archives if you want to see more incredible roasters from around the world!
Sources
- MacBeans: About
- MacBeans: Trade Coffee
- MacBeans: MacBeans
- Steampunk Coffee Roasters: Steampunk Coffee Roasters
- Common Coffee Roasters: Common Coffee Roasters
- Glen Lyon: Glen Lyon
- Dear Green Coffee Roasters: Dear Green Coffee Roasters
- Luckie Beans Coffee Roasters: Luckie Beans Coffee Roasters
- Unorthodox Roasters: Unorthodox Roasters
