Starling Cafe (Ullapool, Macphail Centre)

The Starling Café at the Macphail Centre is a relaxed place for ideas, reflection and conversation.

The café is open to everyone but places are limited, so please book in advance. 

The theme for this session is 'Chance and choice' with Louise Davies:

The climate crisis is often discussed in terms of carbon emissions and environmental targets, but its impacts are experienced very differently across the world. Communities who have contributed least to the climate crisis are frequently those facing its most severe consequences. In this conversation, Louise Davies will explore the connections between Fair Trade and climate justice, and what they reveal about our responsibilities to one another in an increasingly interconnected world.

Louise Davies is Chief Executive of Scottish Fair Trade, where she works to strengthen support for Fair Trade across Scotland. Her background spans international development, ethical trade, politics and public engagement, with a particular interest in how global economic systems shape people's lives and opportunities. Louise is especially interested in the intersection of citizen action, community movements, and the responsibilities of governments and businesses in creating a fairer and more sustainable world. 

To mark Ullapool's 20th year as a Fair Trade Village, this session is run in partnership with Ullapool Fairtrade Group.

Running every few weeks, the Starling Cafe is an evening event which includes a visiting guest, tea and coffee, and room for informal and open-ended conversation. It takes place is a cafe-style setting at the Macphail. It aims to be a hospitable place to explore ideas and get to know a few other people in our community. 

The topics explored in this series include community, hope, belonging, diversity, resilience and resistance. Guests have included Mairi McFadyen, Doug Francisco and Malini Chakrabarty.

PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE.  Free entry, though the Starling Cafe depends on donations, so contributions to help us cover our costs are warmly appreciated (see booking page for options).

If you don't want to use this online process to book, you can contact Joanna at joanna.wright@highlifehighland.com to book a place.

Donations of baking are also welcome (please contact Joanna as above).

Please access the Macphail Centre via the library, which opens at 6pm.

We will look forward to seeing you!