Craft, Coffee & Community

Colin and Hannah are the creative, practical, and business minds behind Highwood Furniture, an Alyth-based small business known for its beautifully crafted furniture, kitchenware, and wide range of wooden gifts. Working from their home workshop and connecting with customers at local markets, events, and exhibitions, they’ve built a reputation rooted in craftsmanship, sustainability, and a genuine love of wood.

As their following grew, so did their ambition. They began exploring ways to share their work and their passion for wood, with a wider audience. A workshop space with a small coffee offering seemed like a natural next step, but whilst deliberating something unexpected happened.

A much-loved café in nearby Meigle came onto the market. Its name? The Joinery. For Colin and Hannah, it felt like more than coincidence, it was an opportunity too perfect to ignore.

Fast forward a few months (and more than a few hurdles), and they are now the proud owners of The Joinery. Together with the café’s wonderful existing team, they’ve continued its legacy of great coffee and an irresistible selection of cakes, baked fresh on site using cherished recipes passed down from previous owners. Alongside this, they offer a simple, honest lunch menu of homemade soup, toasties, and jacket potatoes.

Today, The Joinery is more than a café, it’s a warm, welcoming space that reflects Colin and Hannah’s passion for craft, creativity, and community.

As Hannah says, “It’s important to us that The Joinery authentically reflects the ethos behind Highwood Furniture - grounded, comfortable and welcoming, while celebrating everything about wood.” 

Alongside their own creations, they also showcase work from fellow Perthshire Artisans, supporting other makers with a space to sell their products, including wood pieces from Chris Clay and Mike Corder, ceramics from Caroline Storer, stone carvings from Neil Paterson and cards and prints from Samantha Dolan, as well as other local creatives.

Life as café owners has come with a few surprises, from the sheer amount (and cost) of chocolate to how quickly cakes sell out, sometimes leading to late nights baking to keep up with demand. But the most rewarding part has been the incredible support from staff, customers, locals, and the wider artisan community.

For Colin and Hannah, The Joinery is about connection, bringing people together, supporting local, and creating a space with real purpose, as well as a place to showcase their own incredible work which is available to enjoy throughout The Joinery.

The following images show the history of The Joinery and it's transformation over the years to the present day.

The Joinery is open 7 days a week, 10am to 4.30pm at The Square, Ardler Rd, Meigle, Blairgowrie, PH12 8RN. Book a lunch table on 01828 640717.