New coffee roastery launches on remote Scottish peninsula
The new venture has already secured wholesale partnerships with the Michelin Guide-recommended Walled Garden restaurant, Applecross Campsite, Applecross Bothy, and the Applecross Inn.
Retail bags will also be available at A&J Brown Grocers, with additional partnerships in the works.
READ MORE:
Mr Davidson moved to Applecross in 2018 and discovered his passion for coffee during the Covid pandemic. With more time on his hands, he began taste testing beans from around the world and learning the roasting process. After completing a training course at the Scottish Barista Academy in 2023, he is now in the process of transforming part of the commercial kitchen at Applecross Campsite – where he also works – into a fully functioning roastery.
To support the launch of the business, David has secured a £3,500 loan from DSL Business Finance through the British Business Bank's Start Up Loans programme, helping cover the costs of initial stock and equipment.
Sourcing its beans from ethical importers Covoya, the roastery focuses on high-quality, sustainable coffee from countries including Colombia, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Mr Davidson has also teamed up with local creative Valerie Hodgkinson, co-owner of Applecross Croft, to design the brand's logo and visual identity.
He said: 'What started as a hobby during the pandemic quickly turned into something I was really passionate about. Starting the business has been a great learning experience, and the support from DSL Business Finance with my business plan and cash flow forecasts has been invaluable. In the next five years, I hope Applecross Roastery becomes a staple in the area, supplying premium coffee across the peninsula and beyond. Supporting local businesses is more important than ever, and I'm grateful to be part of such a welcoming community.'
Looking ahead, Mr Davidson hopes to expand the business by growing his customer base along the North Coast 500, introducing more visitors to the flavours of Applecross.
Since its inception in 2012, the Start Up Loans programme has provided more than £4.4m to start ups in the Highland local authority area.
Barry McCulloch, Senior Manager, UK Network, Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: 'David's shift from hobbyist to entrepreneur is a brilliant example of how smaller businesses can start from humble beginnings and go on to have a big impact on rural communities. Applecross Roastery not only introduced a new supply chain to the area but also helps support other businesses, boosting the local economy. We're pleased to support David and look forward to seeing his business grow.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Graziadaily
3 hours ago
- Graziadaily
From Runway To Playlist: Chopova Lowena X Sony's Alto Bag Hits All The Right Notes
We live in a post-Covid world that - let's face it - is no longer arranged to see young, independent fashion brands glide gracefully to success. The odds are less runway, more obstacle course. In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, dwindling sales and stockist pick-ups (never mind the Brexit-induced fees that have battered already stretched young business), designers entering the scene must now hustle harder than ever just to keep the lights on. Concrete solutions. No one's got them. And yet, as the storm clouds thicken, those who know how to build a full-spectrum brand universe - core community, watertight identity, evergreen products - stand a far better chance of keeping their boat afloat. Take Chopova Lowena, founded by Emma Chopova and Laura Lowena in 2017. The duo - the makers of fashion's most coveted kilts (sorry, Scotland) - have perfected the formula. Their charm-heavy, repurposed fabrics, and puckish punk-folk aesthetic have not only carved a very specific, Chopova-Lowena-shaped trench in London's fashion landscape, but also brought in a haul of accolades: several industry awards, the British Fashion Council/British Vogue Fashion Fund, and, crucially, a global fanbase. It helps that they've turned their idiosyncrasies into commercially magnetic product: carabiner kilts, yes, but also bags, perfume, scented candles, and a steady flow of collaborations. ©Chopova Lowena The latest notch in their belt? The Alto bag, created with Sony and designed specifically to carry the tech giant's WF-1000XM6 headphones. The partnership is as unexpected as it is oddly logical. Who made the first move? 'Sometimes it doesn't matter who made the first move,' they tell Grazia. 'Moves were made, and we ended up really happy together, and the Alto Bag was born! The end.' The Alto borrows from the brand's existing Sofia bag (' a bag made to hold all of your girlhood essentials in a fun way'), and adds a practical twist: it holds as much on the outside as on the inside, thanks to the Sony headphones attachment. 'We were excited by how much freedom we had to design fun accessories like the singing girl charm and clashing tartans. Designing it was fun and easy in a way because we felt an intrinsic need to have amazing headphones with us wherever we go; we are big on music as inspiration,' they say. ©Chopova Lowena X Sony The link clicks into place when you consider their tight-knit ties to the music world. Artists like Nia Archives, Fontaines D.C, and Charli XCX don't just wear the brand, they bring it on stage. So naturally, music was the invisible third party in the design process. And what was playing on their ears? 'Addison, the new Fever Ray remix album and Nia Archives,' they tell me. 'Of course, we made all of our design decisions with our current playlist blasting through our headphones.' And what if they were to put on their own festival, who would headline it? 'Addison Rae would be on at 6, and then System of a Down would headline. It would be a folkloric, strict dress-up code festival where you eat snacks and get drunk, but also feel good the whole time.' ©Chopova Lowena X Sony All of which makes their upcoming London Fashion Week show in September feel less like a seasonal presentation and more like the next chapter in an increasingly shrewd, self-sustaining fashion fairytale - kilts, clashing tartans, and now, the perfect soundtrack. Shop: The Alto Bag Henrik Lischke is the senior fashion news and features editor at Grazia. Prior to that, he worked at British Vogue, and was junior fashion editor at The Sunday Times Style.
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
14 percent of Scotland's pubs and clubs could close
It comes as more than half of Scotland's pubs and clubs and hospitality businesses expect trading performance to fall this year amid 'brutal' conditions. The survey was carried out by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) during its August market insight survey report. (Image: Image from Pexels) More than 350 pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels across Scotland took part. SLTA - which represents publicans, hoteliers, restaurateurs, late night entertainment venues and clubs - said the results were the most negative it has seen in the 10 years that the survey has been carried out. READ NEXT: Major road locked down amid ongoing incident The SLTA found that in three quarters (75%) of venues profitability was down from last year, with 56% of firms saying this had dropped by more than 10%. More than half (56%) of outlets said they expected trading performance to decline in 2025, with 14% of outlets either planning to close their doors or seriously considering it. This is more than double the 6% who were either planning or considering closure in the SLTA's January survey. Cost pressures continue to have a major impact on the sector, with 67% of outlets reporting increases of more than 10%. Meanwhile almost 90% of outlets said they expect the Scottish economy to decline this year. According to the SLTA research, increases in employers' national insurance contributions have impacted upon staffing and opening hours, with nearly a third (32%) of outlets cutting staffing levels, while almost a fifth (19%) reduced their opening hours. Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, has called for action from both Holyrood and Westminster to help the sector. He said: 'We've spoken repeatedly about the many challenges Scotland's licensed hospitality sector continues to face. 'In recent years, it navigated the stormy waters of Brexit, the Covid pandemic, rising utility bills, and the ongoing cost-of-living pressures that have impacted on businesses' operating costs and consumer spending. 'However, in the 10 years that we have been conducting our market insight surveys, these findings are the most negative we have seen – these insights are extremely concerning and the only word to describe the current trading conditions is 'brutal'.' READ NEXT: Three new cancer drugs approved for use for NHS Scotland Mr Wilkinson said that spiralling costs to businesses from the Chancellor's hike in employers' NICs, along with increases in the both the national minimum wage and the living wage are having a devastating impact on Scotland's pubs, bars, hotels and hospitality venues. Business minister Richard Lochhead defended the current rates system, as he urged the UK Government to reverse its decision to increase employers' national insurance contributions, which is having a detrimental impact on the hospitality industry. (Image: Image of Lochhead from PA) Lochhead said: 'We are providing 40% rates relief in 2025-26 for hospitality premises, including music venues with a capacity of up to 1,500 people, which is benefiting night-time businesses. 'Scotland also continues to offer the most generous small business rates relief in the UK, with around half of properties in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors being eligible for 100% Small Business Bonus Scheme relief.' Meanwhile a spokesperson for HM Treasury added: 'UK business confidence is the highest in 10 years according to a Lloyds Bank survey published only this week. 'Since the election, we have struck three major trade deals with the EU, US and India, more than a billion pounds has been invested to fix our national infrastructure and the Bank of England has cut interest rates four times. 'Because of the tax decisions we took at the Budget last year, we have been able to deliver on the priorities of the British people, including funding the record £50.9 billion settlement for Scotland to support public services including health, transport and education as we deliver on the Plan for Change.' The survey found 75% of businesses in the sector want the next Scottish Government after the 2026 Holyrood elections to address rates discrepancies with the rest of the UK.
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Reuters
Paramount to become exclusive US home for UFC in $7.7 billion rights deal
Aug 11 (Reuters) - Skydance-owned Paramount will become the exclusive U.S. home of Ultimate Fighting Championship under a seven-year media rights deal valued at about $7.7 billion, marking the first major strategic move by the merged media giant under new CEO David Ellison. Starting next year, Paramount+ will carry the complete U.S. slate of 13 numbered UFC events and 30 Fight Nights. UFC, owned by TKO Group Holdings (TKO.N), opens new tab, will also have select numbered cards simulcast on Paramount's CBS broadcast network, the companies announced on Monday. The deal builds on Ellison's commitment to increase investment in high-quality exclusive content, which he had called the "single biggest driver of subscriber growth". Sports content, has become the cornerstone of media strategy, as cord-cutting accelerates, with rivals such as Netflix (NFLX.O), opens new tab and Disney (DIS.N), opens new tab also striking similar deals to strengthen their offerings. Netflix secured a $5 billion, 10-year global deal for WWE Raw from 2025 and added two NFL Christmas Day games. Disney's ESPN extended rights with NFL, NHL, MLB and College Football Playoff. "The addition of UFC's year-round must-watch events to our platforms is a major win," Ellison said, calling UFC a "global sports powerhouse". Paramount will pay an average of $1.1 billion a year to TKO Group and include events at no extra cost to subscribers, shifting away from UFC's traditional pay-per-view model. It may seek UFC rights in other markets as they come up for bidding. "They are not playing for near-term earnings outperformance, they are trying to create a long-term imprint on the future of the media industry to 'win,'" LightShed Partners analysts said. UFC stages about 43 live events a year, reaching roughly 100 million U.S. fans and nearly 950 million households globally. Its slate includes marquee-numbered card events like UFC 300, and weekly Fight Nights. Paramount and Skydance completed their $8.4 billion merger last week, capping a drawn-out deal process marked by political scrutiny and shareholder concerns.
