Work gets under way on new gin distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall

Alistair Munro takes a look at Orkney’s newest artisan distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall

Aproject, which is set to create between eight and ten jobs, is being hailed as an important addition to Orkney’s diverse range of tourist attractions, ahead of a predicted major increase in visitor numbers to the islands.

Orkney Distilling Ltd was formed early last year by local couple Stephen and Aly Kemp, with the firm’s first gin, Kirkjuvagr, proving a huge success. Full production of Kirkjuvagr, which is now being sold throughout the country, will move to the new Kirkwall seafront distillery once operational. The company also has plans for further product lines, which it will reveal later this year.

Their first gin was created after months of painstaking research and recipe trials using a unique blend of Orcadian botanicals.

Described as being “unmistakably Orcadian” in character, the gin’s brand draws on the strong Norse and seafaring themes that are traditional for the area, with the origin of the gin’s name coming from the Old Norse for “Church Bay”. One of the locally sourced ingredients is Angelica, which was reportedly taken to the islands centuries ago by sailors from the Faroes and has been grown from seed at the Agronomy Institute’s site overlooking Kirkwall Bay.

Stephen Kemp, managing director of the brand, said: “After months of planning, we’re really excited to see the project now under way. The first stage involves the careful removal of the existing dilapidated warehouse buildings on the Ayre Road site and, once cleared, we’ll be getting straight on to the foundation concrete pour for the new distillery and visitor centre. Our aim is to have the project completed by the end of August, with our focus then on training our new staff and gradually moving full production of Kirkjuvagr to Ayre Road.” He added: “It’s always been our intention to create a project that both the local community and Orkney’s many visitors can enjoy. With a major increase in tourist numbers predicted for this year, along with a rise in cruise ship visits, there’s a real need for more high quality attractions in the county to enhance the experience of those travelling to our islands.

“We’ll be working hard to ensure our new distillery and visitor centre becomes an essential stop on any Orkney tour, as well as a place local folk will also want to come and enjoy.”

0 An artist’s view of the new distillery