Thursday November 5th 2026
Written by Midlothian View food columnist, Angela Muir
Midlothian has plenty to be proud of when it comes to independent food and drink, and there is something particularly special about discovering a place that feels as though it has always belonged in its community. Two Pines Coffee Shop in Auchendinny is one of those places.
Tucked inside the Glencorse Centre, Two Pines opened in July 2025 following a six-week renovation. Owners Chris and Tessa wanted to create more than somewhere to grab a coffee. Their vision was for a welcoming “third space” – somewhere between home and work where people could meet, chat, eat, work or simply sit with a good cup of coffee and watch the world go by.
Having both moved to Edinburgh for university and subsequently made Scotland their home, Chris and Tessa have long been fans of independent coffee shops and the sense of connection they can create. At Two Pines, they have taken that idea and given it a distinctly Midlothian feel. And it is clear from the moment you walk through the door that community is at the heart of what they do.
Of course, a coffee shop has to get the coffee right, and Two Pines takes its coffee seriously. Their coffee comes from Rafiki Coffee, a Portobello-based roastery with a particular focus on African speciality coffees. It is a little different from the usual coffee shop offering and gives customers the chance to discover coffees from regions they may not have tried before.
Tea drinkers haven’t been forgotten either, with local company Shibui Tea on the menu. I tried the honeybush tea, which had lovely hints of caramel and delicate floral notes, a deliciously soothing choice if, like me, you are more of a tea girl.
The food is equally considered, with everything cooked to order and as much as possible made in-house. Think homemade granola, compote, scones, couscous, herb oil and chilli salsa, with a menu that changes with the seasons to keep things fresh. We tried their granola bowl and salad bowl, both bursting with colour, flavour and texture, quite literally tasting the rainbow. The salad was packed with fresh vegetables and leaves harvested from the community garden, finished with delicate edible flowers, making it every bit as beautiful as it was delicious.
One of the things I particularly liked about Two Pines is the connection between the food on the plate and the community around it. Chef Pam grows vegetables and edible flowers in the community garden right outside the centre. When I visited, the garden was bursting with of chard, spinach, kale, courgettes and edible flowers, a reminder that local really can mean local.
The menu also caters for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets, making it somewhere that is easy to visit with a group without everyone having to compromise.
There is thought behind the name too.
Chris and Tessa both love spending time outdoors and have always loved trees. Auchendinny has historical links to papermaking, with the surrounding pine forests playing a part in that history. But there is also a more personal reason behind the name.
Chris’s grandfather was a tree scientist at the Roslin Research Station, where he studied how pine trees disperse in the wind and support one another during storms. It is a lovely analogy for what Chris and Tessa are trying to create at Two Pines, two people made stronger by being part of a wider community.
And that community focus runs through almost everything they do.
The team is made up of a close-knit group, many of whom are local, while a work experience partnership with Penicuik High School gives young people the opportunity to experience hospitality first-hand.
The café also provides a home for local groups and activities, including a breastfeeding group, book club, walking group and games night. Local artists are invited to display their work on the walls free of charge, with exhibitions changing approximately every six weeks.
Even the little details show that inclusivity matters. Two Pines has introduced a social story and large-print menus to make the café more accessible, and one customer is currently working with them to create a Braille version.
Chris and Tessa
The setting is another big part of the appeal.
The Glencorse Centre has plenty of space around it, including a community garden, children’s play area, football pitches and basketball court, while the surrounding area offers walks right on the doorstep. There is free parking, bike storage and even a cycle repair station, making it a natural stopping point for walkers and cyclists as well as local families.
It is dog-friendly, welcoming to those working remotely and, importantly, feels like a place where you don’t have to rush off after finishing your coffee.
That, perhaps, is the biggest compliment I could give it.
In a world where so many coffee shops can feel designed around how quickly you can get your takeaway cup and leave, Two Pines feels like it wants you to stay.
For me, this is exactly what a Spotlight On feature should be about, shining a light on the places that add something to the communities around them.
Two Pines isn’t simply a coffee shop that happens to be inside a community centre. It has embraced the opportunity to become part of the fabric of Auchendinny, supporting local people, showcasing local talent, creating opportunities and putting genuine thought into making everyone feel welcome.
And while the coffee and food are important, and very good reasons to visit, there is something else that stays with you.
It is that feeling that you are welcome to pull up a chair, order another cup of tea, bring the dog, bring the children, meet a friend, open the laptop, join a group or simply enjoy a quiet moment.
Midlothian has some fantastic independent businesses, and Two Pines is a great example of why they matter. It is a place with good coffee, good food and, perhaps most importantly, a very big heart.
Two Pines Coffee Shop, The Glencorse Centre, Auchendinny, EH26 0QZ. Open 9am–5pm, every day except Tuesday.
For more about local food visit: @eatsleepgreet
Photo credits: @pamelajcook_brandphotography
