Orkney Distilling is set to launch a new Old Tom style pink gin that combines rare Orcadian honey with fresh Scottish raspberries, marking the fifth offering from the award-winning Kirkwall based company. Beyla – named after the Norse goddess of…
Cannes spotlight on Orkney’s pioneering marine energy work
A major documentary on climate change, featuring Orkney’s pioneering marine energy work, is set to be premiered at the Cannes Film Festival next week. Ice on Fire has been produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and is also narrated by the actor, who has…
Stunning new Glasgow showcase for Orkney jewellery designer
Orkney jewellery designer Sheila Fleet OBE is set to open a stunning new shop within Glasgow’s award-winning retail and leisure destination, Princes Square, this week. The new store, which opens on Friday (5 April), promises customers a unique retail experience,…
Sinclair Breweries re-launches Atlas range
Sinclair Breweries Ltd is re-launching its Atlas Brewing Company range, it was announced this week. The initial brews have been created at the state-of-the-art, SALSA approved, Orkney Brewery, by a team that includes John Rodger, one of the original and…
Gold for Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell Storm Strength gin
Orkney Distilling’sArkh-Angell ‘Storm Strength’ gin has won a prestigious UK Gold Medal at this year’s World Gin Awards, held in London. The 57-per-cent spirit took home the prize in the Navy Gin category of the event, judged by a panel of leading…
Zoe Davidson Jewellery set to launch Spring Tides collection
Young Orkney jewellery designer, Zoe Davidson, is set to launch a striking new collection inspired by the sea-carved shoreline formations of her island homeland. The Spring Tides range, handcrafted in silver, combines Zoe’s signature fold-formed metalwork with contrasting gemstones, accents of…
Prize haul for Orkney Brewery at SIBA awards
The Orkney Brewery has taken home no less than six prizes, including three golds, from the prestigious Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Scotland Independent Beer Awards, held in Glasgow last night (6 November). The brewery’s speciality Dark Island Reserve was voted…
2018 Orkney Food and Drink Awards winners announced
Orkney’s finest food and drink businesses were recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony held in Kirkwall last night (Saturday, 13 October). Thirty-one local businesses were shortlisted for 12 different accolades in the 2018 Orkney Food and Drink Awards, covering everything…
Silver lining for Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell Storm Strength gin
Orkney Distilling’s Arkh-Angell ‘Storm Strength’ gin has won a prestigious Silver Medal at this year’s Scottish Gin Awards in Glasgow. The 57-per-cent gin took home the prize in the Navy Strength Gin of the Year category of the top industry…
Young Orkney jewellery designer recreates rare Pictish necklace
A young Orkney jewellery designer has re-created a rare, 1,400-year-old Pictish necklace, the original of which is kept within the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Zoe Davidson crafted her 1kg solid silver version of the famous Whitecleugh Chain, discovered in Lanarkshire…
New Dundee hotel is blanket fan of Orkney designer
Orkney knitwear designer Hilary Grant has provided bespoke blankets for rooms in a new high-end hotel that’s just opened in Dundee. The commission, for the 102 room, multi-million-pound Hotel Indigo®- operated by IHG and located in a former mill building in…
Orkney Distilling’s new distillery and visitor centre opens in Kirkwall
Orkney Distilling’s new artisan distillery and visitor centre officially opens in Kirkwall this week, creating a major new tourist attraction for the islands. Two years in the planning, the new facility - which has created six local jobs - represents…
Orkney Distilling finalists in Scottish Gin Awards
Orkney Distilling Limited has made the finals in two categories of this year’s Scottish Gin Awards, it was announced this week. The news comes as the company prepares to open its new distillery and visitor centre in Kirkwall. Orkney Distilling’s Storm…
Orkney food and drink firms fly flag for islands at Royal Highland Show
Nine Orkney food and drink businesses will be flying the flag for the islands at this week’s Royal Highland Show, which celebrates the best of Scottish farming, food and rural life. The local firms will exhibit their produce on special…
New era for Orkney’s tourism industry
A dynamic new partnership body has been created to responsibly boost tourism in Orkney over the next seven years as the industry locally continues to witness significant growth. The recent Islands Visitor Surveyshowed that Orkney welcomed over 170,000 visitors last…
New Sheila Fleet Jewellery visitor centre opens its doors
“It’s been about blending elements of its past with the future and finding it a new purpose,” says Sheila Fleet of the former St Andrew’s Kirk, now serving as a visitor centre for her Tankerness based jewellery business. “We hope…
Studying at Orkney’s global campus
“I think it’s one of the most unique places I’ve ever been in my life,” says Canadian student Nick Fraser, reflecting on his temporary Orkney home. “People can tell you about it, and try to describe it, but it’s really…
Orkney Brewery wins double gold at national beer awards
The Orkney Brewery has done the double at a major national beer competition, becoming the only Scottish brewer to take top honours in two different event categories. The brewery’s speciality Dark Island Reserve and its Dragonhead stout both won gold…
Caledonian’s Craig Steven joins Sinclair Breweries as commercial manager
Craig Steven, former beers manager for Edinburgh’s Caledonian Brewery, has joined Sinclair Breweries Ltd as commercial manager, it was announced this week. The move comes as Sinclair Breweries – operator of the Orkney Brewery and custodian of the Atlas beers…
First for Orkney as island rum producer sets sail
Orkney’s first rum distillery officially launches its new spirit this weekend, with an infamous island pirate providing inspiration for the brand. J. Gow Rum, created by VS Distillers Ltd, is named after Orcadian pirate, John Gow, who was executed in…
Orkney businesses make finals of tourism awards
THREE Orkney businesses have been shortlisted as finalists in this year’s Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HITA), it was announced today (Friday, 29 September). The Ferry Inn, Scapa Scuba, and The Orkney Brewery and Visitor Centre are amongst 55 contenders…
UK and USA jewellery community comes together for refugees
Orkney jewellery designer Alison Moore is one of more than 100 jewellers from the UK and USA to donate work to a special Facebook auction in aid of refugees around the world. The Auction for Aid gets underway on Monday,…
Orkney Storytelling Festival 2017
It’s been called the little festival with the big heart - a celebration of oral tradition that has earned a worldwide reputation, thanks to its warmth, inclusivity and unique community atmosphere. Since its resurrection in 2010, the Orkney Storytelling Festival…
Double success for Orkney Brewery in World Beer Awards
The Orkney Brewery is celebrating double success in a major international beer competition, with two of its ales taking top honours. Dark Island Reserve, Orkney Brewery’s speciality 10% ale, secured the UK Country Winner accolade, in the Dark Beer (Strong)…
Island Smokery’s Orkney Butter reaches new heights in Dubai
Butter from Orkney has reached dizzying new heights, being served up in the world’s tallest restaurant, within the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The hand-wrapped artisanal butter, produced by The Island Smokery, was chosen by top chef Christopher Graham for use…
Visitors ready to flock to North Ronaldsay
“It's a great way of meeting new people and putting yourself forward to experience something unique and rewarding,” says Kate Traill Price, coordinator of the North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival. “The main appeal is the sense of teamwork and achievement, mixed in with the celebration of…
Ortak returns home to former Kirkwall premises
Revitalised Orkney jewellery brand, Ortak, is relocating back home to its former premises in Kirkwall, it was announced this week. Ortak’s move, from its current workshop in the town’s Great Western Road to the much larger building on the edge…
Celebrate Orkney’s gardens this summer
Although breathtakingly beautiful, Orkney might not immediately seem like the ideal place to pursue gardening as a serious hobby. Apart from our salty maritime air, it frequently gets a bit breezy here, with little by way of natural shelter to…
Storm strength Arkh-Angell gin hits Orkney
A new ‘storm strength’ version of Orkney Distilling’s Kirkjuvagr Gin is being launched in Kirkwall this weekend. The 57-per-cent gin has been named Arkh-Angell, after the fishing boat belonging to the late father of Aly Kemp – one half of…
Iconic Orcadian jewellery brand Ortak celebrates half century
Iconic Orcadian jewellery brand Ortak is marking its 50th anniversary by releasing five special commemorative pieces – one for each decade – throughout 2017. Choosing the designs to mark this milestone in the brand’s history has been a company wide…
