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Owing to its ever-growing popularity, Scottish gin distilleries are more prevalent now than ever before. All the major islands, and even some tiny ones, now seem to be producing their own.
It’s versatilty, aroma and sensual flavour has made gin one of the UK’s favourite spirits. And where better to enjoy indulge your taste buds in the favourable nectar than amongst the rural landscapes of Scotland
Take a tour of some of our wonderful Scottish gin distilleries and learn more about where all the fuss comes from. Why not sample a dram or two along the way as well?
Continue reading to learn more about some of our favourite Scottish gin brands and distilleries…
Downpour Gin is the newest gin on our flavourful list. Produced in a family-run distillery in North Uist, this award-winning gin has been voted one the countries favourite gins in the Scottish Gin Society’s Consumer Choice Awards.
© North Uist Distillery Co
Despite its tongue in cheek name, one sip of Downpour Gin is sure to spark imaginations. Feel the sand between your toes as you picture yourself strolling along Clachan Sands, notes of citrus, spice and Hebridean heather tantilizing your taste buds.
Downpour Gin is a traditional-style dry gin, distilled and bottled in small batches. As with all of our island producers, it features locally-foraged botanicals for a fragrant and vibrant flavour. At 46 proof it certainly packs a punch.
You can sample the flavours of Scotland for yourself at a Downpour Gin tasting masterclass. Available Monday to Friday, you can enjoy four perfect serves of each flavour, with minis to take home for the designated driver of the group. Little ones and four-legged friends are more than welcome to tag along!
Whitetail Gin takes its name from Europe’s largest bird of prey, the majestic White-tailed Eagle. Renowned for being as rare as the bird itself, this award-winning gin is produced in a micro-distillery situated within the grounds of the owners family home.
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The Whitetail Gin Distillery is the first distillery to open on the Isle of Mull in over 220 years, and the first dedicated gin distillery to open on the island.
This gin features sustainably-sourced botanicals, including juniper, coriander and lemon peel. In an ode to it’s roots, the real secrets lie within the ingredients that are native to the island. These include heather, winter savoury and pine needles, as well as sea-kelp gathered from the shores of Loch Scridain.
Subtle and smooth, but gentle on the palette, this gin is an elegant base for a cocktail. Anyone for a Tom Collins?
Although this Scottish gin distillery doesn’t open its doors for tours, you’re able to purchase the wonderful flavours of Whitetail Gin, along with their quirky merchandise, directly on their website.
The tagline of this Scottish gin distillery is “provenance is everything,” and that’s exactly what they focus on.
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Based in the captial town of Portree, Misty Isle Gin is a marriage of waters from the Storr Lochs and juniper berries hand-foraged across Syke. This award-winning gin is slowly distilled in a traditional gas-fired copper pot still, producing a truly mouth-watering flavour.
Expect heavy notes of juniper, but nothing too floral, with earthy undertones and a hint of spice. A subtle flavour of citrus with a refreshing aftertaste.
The bottles distincive shape was inspired by the natural landscape of the Isle of Skye. The twisted top, unique to each bottle, represents the mountains and seas, whilst the label represnts the Cuillin Mountains.
Unfortunately this Scottish gin distillery isn’t open to the public, however they do have a well-stocked shop nestled in the heart of the village. Here you get your hands on a bottle of Mistle Isle Gin for yourself, or learn more about the production process at the on-site gin school.
Open since 2017, this Scottish gin distillery sits on the remote island of Barra, on the far western edge of Scotland. Multi-award-winning, this Scottish gin has rightfully won a place on our list of the best Scottish Gin Distilleries in the Hebrides!
Barra Atlantic Gin makes use of the islands natural botanicals to create its unique flavour. It’s key ingredient, carrageen seaweed, is collected from the shores of Barra, and is used alongside 16 specially-selected botanicals.
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The aroma of this gin is the perfect balance of floral and herbal. Flavours of juniper and citrus roll across the tongue like the crashing waves of the Atlantic surf. Refreshing and clean, this Scottish gin has a long, warm, spice finish.
The bottle has been designed with the landscape and shores of Barra in mind, with carrageen seaweed used to create an eye-catching marble pattern. Take a little piece of Scotland home with a bottle of Barra Atlantic Gin.
If gin isn’t your thing, this Scottish distillery also produces whisky and rum. Which one will you choose?
Perhaps the best-known Scottish gin distillery on our list, the Isle of Harris Distillery is one of the earliest of its kind in the Hebrides. It’s thought that its popularity kick-started the gin phenomenon across the islands.
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Produced in a small copper still, this award-winning gin is distilled, bottled and labelled on the Isle of Harris.
The bottle itself is a work of art, reflecting elements of the Isle of Harris in its design. The true artistry comes when you savour your first drop.
This Scottish gin is infused with sugar kelp seaweed, hand-harvested from the underwater forests of the Outer Hebrides. Offering subtle coastal notes, this natural and sustainable ingredient completes a complex flavour profile alongside added local botanicals.
Unlike many others, the Isle of Harris distillers recommend serving Harris gin neat. Add a few drops of sugar kelp aromatic water and a cube of ice and you’ve got yourself a perfect serve.
Distillery tours are available between March and October through the Social Distillery, where you can learn more about the production process.
Fancy visiting these Scottish isles and sampling the goods for yourself? Browse our range of holiday cottages in Scotland and secure your perfect base today!
For more inspriation on how to spend your time away, give our guide on fun things to do on a rainy day in the UK a read!
Hello, I'm Lizi, and I joined the team in May 2021. My favourite staycation destinations include Cornwall, Northumberland, and as ...
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