New coffee roastery launches in Caithness with £35k HIE investment

2nd February 2026

Photograph of New coffee roastery launches in Caithness with £35k HIE investment

A new coffee roasting business established in Caithness has secured up to £35,165 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

58 North Coffee Roastery was formed earlier this year by entrepreneurs Daniel Doerr and Simon Dix, who identified an opportunity following their relocation to the area. The business will be based in one of HIE's newly completed commercial business units at Wick Business Park.

The investment will enable the founders to begin producing small-batch roasted coffee and develop a distinctive Caithness brand using ethically and sustainably sourced beans.

58 North plans to place a strong emphasis on decaf and half-caf blends to meet growing demand for lower-caffeine options, reflecting their commitment offering a coffee for every preference.

The company aims to build a robust wholesale strategy, supplying hotels, cafes, restaurants, and boutique retailers across the Highlands and beyond. An online shop and monthly subscription boxes will also be available for customers who want to buy directly.

Hilary Budge, senior development manager with HIE in Caithness and Sutherland, said, "The food and drink sector is a significant contributor to our local economy, and one that creates valuable rural employment opportunities. 58 North is a welcome new addition. I'm delighted we've been able to support this venture and look forward to continuing to work with Daniel and Simon as they establish their business in Wick."

Daniel and Simon, co-founders of 58 North, said, "We're passionate about bringing exceptional coffee to the Highlands and Islands. This support from HIE is a huge boost, enabling us to invest in the right equipment and processes to ensure quality and consistency from day one. Our goal is to create something special for local businesses and coffee lovers alike."

Information on other commercial units available at Wick Business Park is available at https://www.hie.co.uk/property-and-land/primeproperty/wick-business-park/

PHOTO
Daniel Doerr and Simon Dix of 58 North
Photographer Claire Wilson/HIE

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

26/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Gaelic's growing role in the Highlands and Islands

Gaelic plays a significant role across the Highlands and Islands, contributing to community resilience, cultural development and sustainable economic growth.   Having a powerful social, cultural and economic role in the Highlands and Islands, its value to local people and businesses has never felt stronger.  

24/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Artificial intelligence: big thinking, practical learning and what it means for our businesses

From robots to real business impact: April Conroy, HIE development manager for life sciences and the blue economy, reflects on WAICF and what human centred AI means for businesses.   ust over a week ago, I was at the World AI Cannes Festival (WAICF) alongside a delegation of 25 Scottish business leaders, as part of the Scottish Government's National AI Adoption Programme.  

24/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Cairngorm Funicular Railway: What the 2026 Parliamentary Report Reveals About Costs, Failures, and the Future

The Scottish Parliament's Public Audit Committee has released its latest report on the Cairngorm Funicular Railway, offering one of the most detailed examinations yet of the project's troubled history, escalating costs, and long‑term prospects.   The funicular, which has become both a symbol of Highland tourism and a lightning rod for criticism, is once again under scrutiny and not only for its engineering failures but for the governance and financial decisions that shaped its past and will determine its future.  

22/2/2026 : Local Authority

Stop Taxing Communities to Fund Duplicate Bureaucracies - Alternatives

As council tax rises once again loom across Scotland, the familiar warnings are rolled out: there is no alternative.   Councils, we are told, must either raise taxes or cut services.  

16/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Highlands and Islands Business Survey Shows The Challenges

Businesses in the Highlands and Islands have continued to perform well over the past six months despite having experienced significant challenges.   This is according to the latest business survey commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).  

16/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Funding boosts STEM opportunities for young people in Caithness and Sutherland

Primary school pupils in Caithness and Sutherland will have the chance to dive into engaging science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities, thanks to a new funding agreement from NRS Dounreay.   The three-year commitment will enable the Science Skills Academy (SSA) to deliver practical STEM learning at the Newton Room in Thurso, helping young people aged 10-14 explore how STEM connects to real-world applications.  

8/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Final IMPACT30 event marks end of programme supporting more than 300 young entrepreneurs

Launched by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in 2018 as part of the Northern Innovation Hub (NIH), IMPACT30 was created to support the next generation of business leaders by providing tailored support, mentoring and specialist guidance to people aged 35 and under in key decision‑making roles.   Over its 15 cohorts, the fully funded programme has helped participants develop their skills, build confidence and accelerate business growth.  

2/2/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Asia Pacific interest in the Highlands and Islands at all time high

There's no doubt that investment from companies owned outside of Scotland is increasingly important in growing the economy of the Highlands and Islands.   Interest in the region is diverse and across many sectors.  

27/1/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

 
Rural AI Roadshow starts in Inverness Today 27 January

Led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) in the Highlands and Islands, the Rural AI Roadshow conference runs across Scotland in January 2026 with events in Inverness (27 Jan), Dundee (28 Jan) and Gretna (29 Jan).   Each event will bring together business leaders, innovators and practitioners to explore the potential of AI to support rural economies.  

24/1/2026 : Advisory / Counseling Services

Members reappointed to the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP, today announced the reappointments of Simon Cotton and David Wilson as Members of the Board of Highlands and Islands Enterprise.   Simon Cotton has over a decade of experience of running textile manufacturing businesses in the HIE region, including Johnstons of Elgin and Macnaughton Holdings.