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The Highland Weigh: Nairn's Zero-Waste Hub and Cozy Café

Nairn’s welcoming zero-waste shop and vegetarian café blending sustainable living with community spirit and delicious organic coffee.

4.7

The Highland Weigh in Nairn is a pioneering zero-waste shop and vegetarian café dedicated to sustainability and community engagement. Open since November 2022, it offers plastic-free products, organic coffee, and a warm, inviting atmosphere with a wood burner. The shop features self-serve scales, gravity dispensers, and a peanut butter machine, encouraging visitors to embrace a plastic-free lifestyle while enjoying locally sourced goods and delicious treats.

A brief summary to The Highland Weigh

  • 3b High St, Nairn, IV12 4AG, GB
  • +441667457660
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Mid ranged
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 9 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-5 pm
  • Friday 9 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-4 pm

Local tips

  • Try making your own peanut butter with the in-store machine for a fun and unique experience.
  • Visit during the Climate Café events to engage in community discussions on sustainability.
  • Enjoy a warm drink by the wood burner on cooler days for a cozy atmosphere.
  • Bring your own containers to fill with plastic-free products using the self-serve scales.
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The Highland Weigh location weather suitability

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A Modern Take on Traditional Shopping

The Highland Weigh opened its doors in November 2022 with a mission to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable living in Nairn. Inspired by a simple change to a bamboo toothbrush, the founders envisioned a zero-waste store that combines ethical shopping with a welcoming community space. The shop’s design reflects this ethos, featuring self-serve scales and gravity dispensers that allow customers to buy exactly what they need without packaging waste. This approach revives a nostalgic shopping experience with a contemporary, eco-conscious twist.

A Warm and Inviting Atmosphere

Inside, the shop doubles as a vegetarian café offering organic coffee produced with solar power. A wood burner provides a cozy warmth year-round, creating a relaxed environment where visitors can enjoy their drinks alongside freshly baked goods such as almond croissants and breakfast burritos. The café’s commitment to sustainability extends to its food offerings, emphasizing local and plastic-free products that align with the store’s zero-waste philosophy.

Community and Climate Action

Beyond retail, The Highland Weigh actively fosters community engagement through initiatives like the Climate Café, launched in August 2023. These events encourage meaningful discussions on climate action and sustainability, helping to build a network of environmentally conscious locals. The shop’s social enterprise model also highlights its dedication to creating positive social and environmental impact, recognized through nominations for awards such as the VIBES Award and Social Enterprise Scotland’s One to Watch.

Impact and Achievements

By mid-2024, The Highland Weigh had helped save over 45,000 pieces of plastic from entering local waste streams, a testament to the effectiveness of its plastic-free product range and community support. The store balances competitive pricing with a focus on quality local products, making sustainable choices accessible. Its founders bring diverse expertise from nursing, corporate procurement, social enterprise, and business advisory roles, all united by a passion for environmental stewardship.

Unique Features and Offerings

Visitors can engage hands-on with the store’s unique features, such as making their own peanut butter using an in-store machine. This interactive element adds a playful dimension to the shopping experience, especially for families and children. The Highland Weigh also offers a blog with tips on starting a zero-waste lifestyle, further extending its educational mission beyond the physical shop.

Location and Setting

Situated at 3b High Street in Nairn, The Highland Weigh is part of a vibrant local community. Its location in a historic Scottish town complements its ethos of returning to simpler, less wasteful ways of living. The shop’s friendly staff and inviting space make it a must-visit for anyone interested in sustainable living, ethical shopping, and enjoying quality vegetarian fare in a relaxed setting.

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