Orkney Distilling, maker of Kirkjuvagr Orkney Gin, has scooped two top industry awards, including a prestigious Scottish Gin Destination of the Year accolade for its five-star Kirkwall distillery and visitor centre. The company also took home a prestigious Silver Medal…
A post on childhood bereavement and its legacy for World Mental Health Day “You’re the man now”. The words had haunted me for much of my life, though I couldn’t even remember who it was that said them to me…
Orkney based accounting firm, Scholes CA, has made team member Ryan Allan an associate director of the business, it was announced this week. The promotion strengthens the management structure at Scholes CA and comes as the company looks to sharpen its…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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 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…
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…
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…
“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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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)…
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…
“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…
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…
