Weekend days out 15 of the best cosy coffee shops in Scotland

1. STEAMPUNK COFFEE ROASTERS, NORTH BERWICK

IN this cold weather there are few things more enjoyable than hunkering down in a cosy café with a warm drink. Scotland has an array of great coffee shops that range from artisan to traditional, but these all share great service and good coffee in common.

The Warehouse, 49a Kirk Ports, North Berwick Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-5pm (sometimes open later on Fridays) 01620 893030

It might be set in a former warehouse and situated over two floors, but Steampunk Coffee Roasters has a surprisingly homely atmosphere, with tasteful lighting and antiqued furniture making it the type of place you could easily lose a few hours in. The coffee is artisan but the venue is completely welcoming (even to dogs), and if you want to create their coffee at home then they also sell their own freshly roasted beans along with a selection of brew equipment and Steampunk branded items.

steampunkcoffee.co.uk

2. FORTITUDE COFFEE, EDINBURGH 3c York Place, Edinburgh Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm 0131 557 3063

It might be right in the centre of Edinburgh, but Fortitude coffee offers a very different experience from the nearby chains and coffee franchises. The baristas have passion and expertise, offering a huge array of drinks that include a particularly good pour over coffee and green tea. The cafe is cosy, with only a handful of tables, but the struggle to find a seat makes it that much sweeter when you do.

fortitudecoffee.com

3. READINGLASSES, WIGTOWN 17 South Main Street, Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm (closed Wednesday), Sunday noon-4pm 01988 403266

Nothing quite improves a trip to a coffee shop like curling up and enjoying a good book alongside your drink. Wigtown, officially designated as Scotland’s National Book Town in 1998, has no shortage of great booksellers, and ReadingLasses has an array of books lining its walls that help to create a great ambience. And, despite the name, it’s not just for girls.

4. THE STEAMIE COFFEE ROASTERS, GLASGOW

1024 Argyle Street, Finnieston, Glasgow Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 10am-5pm 07821 544449

In days past the local steamie would have been known for its hubbub and chatter – and this west end coffee outfit tries to make sure that its Steamie offers something similar. The woodpanelled walls make for a cosy interior while the coffee is of an excellent standard, with the beans roasted in a traditional drum roaster at The Steamie’s own dedicated site in Glasgow.

thesteamie.co.uk