Cookies

We use necessary cookies to make our site work. We'd also like to set optional analytics cookies to help us improve it. We won't set optional cookies unless you enable them or accept our recommended settings. Using this tool will set a cookie on your device to remember your preferences.

Options
Necessary cookies enable core functionality on our website. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
We use marketing cookies to personalise your visit to our website and show you tailored advertising based on your likes and interests.
We use analytics cookies to monitor visitor behaviour patterns and improve our website performance.

Your preferences have been set. If you wish to change your preferences, you may do so on our cookies page.

Search My Trust
Join now
Join
Close

Looking for places? Use our place search to find them by name, town or postcode.

See all stories
4 Jul 2024

Meet the Supplier: Nàdar Coffee

Matthew Algie and Nadar coffee

Transcript

Two speakers: Craig Watson (Senior Account Manager) and Estelle MacGilp (Head of Coffee Sourcing)


Craig
National Trust for Scotland Meet our Suppliers: Take One!
Can I keep this?


We were established in 1864. Originally, we brought tea into Glasgow and our legacy grew in the 1990s and 2000s to include coffee.


Estelle
Our business here at Matthew Algie is unique and I think there's a number of reasons for that, but probably one of the main reasons is its focus on sustainability.
We work very closely with our supply chain. We feel this is really important, not just with our direct suppliers but also right down to producer level as well.
We supply a range of products, from tea and hot chocolate to coffee, which is our main product here.


My favourite product that we supply to the Trust is the new Nadar blend.
We looked at the flavour profile that our customer was looking for, and in turn what their customers are looking for, and how they look to enjoy their drinks.
We developed a blend of coffees from Brazil, India and Honduras. These work really well together; they complement each other really nicely.
And not only that but the other focus, as well as the quality here, is that we have created a 100% Fairtrade-certified blend as well.
It reminds me of ... when you're thinking of the experience that this is going to deliver ... you sip this coffee, you enjoy this coffee, and it takes you to the middle of the pine forest and you're maybe settling down.
It's cosy; it's reassuring, and it's just a really delicious coffee.
We're really, really pleased with the final product.


Craig
Sustainability and certification have always been an important part of our ethos.
We were the first coffee roaster to introduce a Fairtrade espresso blend; the first coffee roaster to introduce a triple-certified espresso blend; and worldwide we were the first coffee roaster to be carbon neutral.


We love working with the NTS because of the passion of the people, the variety of locations and the stories that we are told.
My favourite Trust location is Inverewe Garden; the views are stunning, the gardens are amazing ... and not to mention a great cup of coffee!
What I love about Scotland is the people -- the passion, the energy, the scenery and no matter what -- come rain or shine -- some truly fantastic opportunities for adventure.

We’re delighted to introduce our newest creation: the Nàdar coffee blend. This exciting new product is the result of nearly two years of collaboration between Food & Beverage Development Manager David Edgar and a host of commercial and operational colleagues across the Trust.

The birth of Nàdar

Nàdar, meaning ‘nature’ in Scottish Gaelic, is more than just a coffee blend; it’s a tribute to the rich landscapes and natural heritage that the National Trust for Scotland strives to protect. Fairtrade-certified and sourced from farming cooperatives in Brazil, Honduras and India, Nàdar is a blend that respects both the environment and the people who cultivate it.

Quote
“Creating Nàdar has been a labour of love. We wanted a coffee that not only tastes incredible but also tells a story of sustainability and community. It's been fantastic to see this project come to fruition, and we’re excited to share it with our supporters.”
David Edgar
Food & Beverage Development Manager for the National Trust for Scotland
Two men stand at a table in a kitchen. The man on the left watches the man on the right weigh some coffee beans on a set of scales.
David Edgar with Craig Watson (Senior Account Manager at Matthew Algie)

A blend designed for all

We worked closely with Matthew Algie, a Glasgow-based coffee roastery, to develop Nàdar. This involved a meticulous process to ensure the blend captures the essence of the Trust. The profile of the Nàdar blend is roasted, earthy, sweet and pinewood, with taste notes of roast on the nose, earthy and woodsy flavours on the palate, a soft mouthfeel, and an intense, warming aftertaste reminiscent of bonfires. It’s a coffee that evokes cosy moments, like roasting marshmallows by the fire or enjoying long countryside walks at our places.

Before launching Nàdar, we analysed five years of coffee sales across the Trust. We discovered that 64% of these sales were milky coffees, with lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites being the most popular. This insight shaped our blend, to ensure it pairs beautifully with milk, making it the perfect choice for our visitors.

All our coffee equipment has been upgraded to market-leading machines, including bean-to-cup units and automated grinders.

Investing in our people

To ensure every cup of Nàdar is a great experience, we also invested in extensive training for our food and beverage teams. Over the past year, 49 colleagues have completed their Speciality Coffee Association Certified Foundation Barista qualifications, and 7 colleagues have gained Train-to-Trainer qualifications. This has not only increased our teams’ confidence but has also enhanced the overall visitor experience.

A young man in a purple t-shirt and wearing an apron stands behind a counter with many upside down coffee mugs stacked on it. A coffee machine and bean grinder stand beside him. Two young women stand behind a counter in a cafe, with many coffee mugs in the foreground. Both wear blue t-shirts. The woman closest to the camera is looking across and smiling.

Feedback from visitors

A year on from the launch, feedback from both our property teams and customers has been fantastic. Many have praised the unique flavour profile of Nàdar, describing it as a perfect coffee for coffee lovers.

Quote
“It’s like a warm hug in a cup!”
A happy customer
Three people sit chatting around a picnic table in a courtyard cafe. All have takeaway coffee cups in front of them.

Try Nàdar at Home

We’re excited to offer Nàdar coffee beans for purchase in selected cafés and gift shops as well as our online shop, so you can enjoy a taste of the National Trust for Scotland from the comfort of your home.

Buy Nàdar coffee beans today

The journey to create Nàdar has been a remarkable one, filled with collaboration, dedication and a shared passion for great coffee. We hope you enjoy every sip of this special blend.

Our cafés and tearooms

Explore
A red gooseberry scone is displayed on a plate with a knife and napkin alongside it. In the background is a beautiful garden. >

Read next

A range of retail items are displayed on a table, with Craigievar Castle just seen in the background. The items form part of the Pink Castle collection and include woollen scarves, gin, a print, silk scarves, jewellery and bars of chocolate.

Meet the Makers: Introducing the Pink Castle collection

We’re delighted to introduce a new exclusive range of products inspired by the Pink Again project at Craigievar Castle.

A close-up of a large, bright flower, shaped a little like a sun, against green leaves in the background. It has bright orange petals with a red stripe down the centre of each one. There is a brown ring around the yellow centre.

From café to compost

During Recycle Week 2020, we find out about a win-win initiative at Inverewe that helps the plants and saves us money.

Artist’s impressions of the new ground floor at Gladstone’s Land

Fresh flavour for historic Royal Mile building

Gladstone’s Land will reopen in the summer with a fresh new look.

A bride sits in a ornately decorated room. She looks off to one side with two huge windows behind her.

Hannah and Michael’s fairytale wedding at Fyvie Castle

Hannah and Michael’s regal fairytale wedding at Fyvie Castle featured stunning castle backdrops, excellent catering and created cherished shared moments.

Read more stories on

Back to top