Maison Dieu Coffee Roasters has partnered with Pipers’ Coffee Shop, the pupil-led social enterprise based at Lathallan School.
Under this new collaboration, Maison Dieu becomes the main coffee supplier for Pipers’, sponsoring all coffee beans served on Friday afternoons at Lathallan School. Maison Dieu sources its speciality beans ethically from farms all over the world, offering complete traceability back to the growers. By roasting locally on-site in Brechin, Maison Dieu ensures the freshest cup of coffee for the Lathallan community. As part of the partnership, Maison Dieu will also deliver a programme of hands-on barista training to Lathallan senior pupils.
Maison Dieu was founded by long-time friends Euan Spark and Lathallan parent John Souttar, growing into a prominent Angus-based speciality coffee brand. With no experience in business, they started their journey with just a passion for coffee and hours of research and investments.
“We’re proud to partner with Lathallan. Learning to be a barista teaches you more than how to make a coffee — it’s confidence, conversation, working under pressure and taking pride in getting something right. Those things carry into a first job, into university and into whatever comes after. And coffee itself is a real career. We’re proof of what coffee can bring to your life — none of us came from the industry, and it’s given us a roastery, two cafes and a team who’ve built something they’re proud of. Being part of the pupils’ Friday afternoons, and what they raise from them, is a privilege.”
Pipers’ Coffee Shop goes far beyond serving great drinks, it is a student-driven social enterprise committed to supporting local causes. Every Friday afternoon, pupils at Lathallan Senior School participate in Personal Development Afternoons, known as PDA. Running Pipers’ Coffee Shop is an option included in this PDA program, combining practical business experience, customer service and hospitality with community impact. Since 2014, Pipers’ has raised and donated over £45,000 to charitable initiatives. Each Friday, the student team, led by a pupil Pipers’ manager, serves fresh coffee alongside homemade treats baked by volunteer parents.
Reflecting on the evolution of the enterprise, Mr Fernandez, Teacher of Business Studies and Computing Science, said:
“Pipers’ epitomises what our young people are truly capable of. The idea for the Pipers’ coffee shop came from an S3 pupil in 2012 through an idea generation session in class. The logo was created by another pupil in that class and has become such a strong part of the brand image.”
“Over 200 pupils have received Barista training and many have gone on to provide training to their peers. Pipers’ Coffee Shop is all about teamwork and all of the pupil group play a part in making decisions about how the coffee shop grows and develops. Creativity is also encouraged with the most recent initiatives of lunchtime openings and home-made milkshakes being pupil-led.”
“In the near future, we hope to start the Pipers’ Outreach initiative which will allow S6 pupils as part of their Leadership Programme to organise and run events that forge links with local community groups.”
Working at Pipers’ offers students hands-on experience across key operational and professional areas. By interacting with customers, pupils build essential customer service and communication skills, while day-to-day operations encourage quick problem-solving and strong teamwork. As a functioning social enterprise, it also provides practical experience in finance, budgeting, and event management. Furthermore, taking on management roles nurtures leadership qualities, responsibility, and a strong sense of pride in their work.
Lathallan pupil and current Pipers’ Pupil Manager Lilian (S4) said:
“Working with Maison Dieu and getting hands-on barista training has been an amazing experience for all of us. Learning how to dial in the espresso and perfect our milk steaming technique from local experts has brought a whole new level of quality to Pipers’. Beyond just making a great cup of coffee, it’s given us so much confidence behind the counter, especially on busy Friday afternoons. We’re so grateful to Maison Dieu for their support and for helping us continue to raise money for incredible local causes.”
Behind the scenes, the incredible parent bakers volunteer their time and effort to provide the delicious treats that accompany the fresh coffee.
If you find yourself near Lathallan School during term time, make sure to visit Pipers’ Coffee Shop on a Friday afternoon to enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee while supporting an initiative that empowers students and gives back to the local community.