The People Behind the Beans

Coffee excites me, not just for its flavours, but for the people and places behind each lot I roast. Every sack of green beans that arrives in Strathnaver carries with it stories of hard work, resilience, and dedication. From smallholder farmers in Rwanda to cooperatives in Nicaragua, these are the people who make my work possible.

I’ve spent twenty years as an educator, and I still think like a teacher: always curious, always learning, always looking to share knowledge. Roasting is an extension of that. Each origin teaches me something new, and I pass that on through the cup, whether it’s the fruit-forward sparkle of an Ethiopian natural or the caramel sweetness of a honey-processed Bolivian.

What matters most to me is that these coffees aren’t anonymous. They come from people facing the challenges of climate change, from communities working together to sustain their land and livelihoods. By keeping my roastery small, I can choose coffees that carry these stories and share them with you.

Coffee isn’t just a drink. It’s a connection. And every bag I roast is a thank-you to the growers whose craft deserves to be celebrated.