Read on for Inverness Taxis’ Top 5 gin distilleries in the Highlands.
Not a gin fan? Read our blog on the best whisky distilleries in the Highlands.
It’s no secret that gin has made a comeback over the last few years. Just take a look behind the bar of your favourite pub to see the range of gins that light up their optics.
Although gin is thought to have been invented in the 13th century by the Dutch, it took until the 1600s for it to be distilled in earnest across Europe. Gin has a long-standing relationship with London, but did you know that 70 per cent of gin produced in the UK is made in Scotland?
We Scots are known for our appreciation for a good dram. So it’s no wonder there are now over 50 producers of gin across Scotland – many of them in the Highlands.
Read Inverness Taxis list of the top 5 gin distilleries in the Highlands of Scotland. Maybe plan a Scottish gin distillery tour in Scotland to see how your favourite drink gets its flavour?
GLENWYVIS DISTILLERY
GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall is the UK’s first 100% community-owned distillery. The distillery is entirely powered by solar, hydro, wind and biomass renewable energy. GlenWyvis Goodwill Scottish Gin It is a full-bodied gin with distinct citrus notes. A gin made from nine different botanicals, including locally picked hawthorn berries.
Due to the location of the distillery (and COVID), it’s not possible to tour their facilities. But they have set up a virtual tour of the distillery where you can learn the secrets of the craft, as well as order a couple of bottles to compliment the experience. Visit their website to take the tour and learn some more about their process.
Where is GlenWhyvis gin Distillery?
LOCH NESS SPIRITS
Loch Ness Spirits is a craft distilling company run close to the iconic Loch Ness. Their first product is the ultra-premium Loch Ness Gin Real and Rare. This award-winning product is made with ingredients from the surrounding area and then blended with the rich water of Loch Ness.
This small distillery is not open to the public, but you can visit the shop and speak with the makers by appointment. They run tasting sessions for groups where you can get your hands on their unique product. Learn from the makers how the product is made, and if they’ve ever seen that elusive Loch Ness Monster!
Visit their website for details on how to book your session at this top gin distilleries.
DORNOCH DISTILLERY
Dornoch Distillery is a crowd-funded, micro-organic gin and whisky distillery. Its location in an old fire station on the grounds of a former castle makes it a truly unique distillery. In 2016, 250 whisky lovers from all over the world eagerly paid to secure hotly anticipated casks from Dornoch Distillery.
DAFFY’S GIN (Strathmashie Distillery)
‘Daffy’ is what gin was affectionately known in Britain in the 1800s and is where Daffy’s Gin gets its name from.
Nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Strathmashie Distillery, near Dalwhinnie is a uniquely designed 500-litre hand-forged copper pot still. There’s also on-site accommodation available where visitors can stay at the distillery surrounded by nature and maybe even take a three-hour foraging and gin-making session to learn more about this marvellous drink.
Visit their website for more details on Daffy’s Gin School
PIXEL SPIRITS DISTILLERY
Pixel Spirits is a tiny craft distillery in the stunning West Highlands near Glen Coe. This distillery produces truly amazing, small-batch Highland Spiced Gin using hand-foraged botanicals from the local area. Like Daffy’s, they offer an on-site course on how to make gin where you can make your very own small-batch gin!
The 3-hour experience includes:
- G&T on arrival
- Tour of the distillery
- Recipe development with over 100 botanicals to choose from!
- Distilling your uber small-batch gin on a copper mini still
- Bottling & labelling
- Large 70cl bottle of your own gin to take home
Visit their website for more information and to book your place.