Drinks

Throw in three gin distilleries too and you have a great mix of quality drink opportunities to savour.

Delicious drams

Highland Park, which started production in 1798, has twice won the accolade of Best Spirit in the World. The distillery, on the outskirts of Kirkwall, has a five-star visitor centre and offers a range of guided tours and tasting packages. Visitors can see the whole whisky-making process, including the atmospheric and rare malting floor where the barley is turned by hand. Views of the peat fires, which give the barley its distinctive flavour, and a taste of the famous single malt are included in the experience. There is also a well-stocked shop at the distillery and in Kirkwall town centre. Scapa Distillery, just half a mile away, began its business making single malt whisky in 1885 and is one of the smallest distilleries in Scotland. It produces a delicate range of whiskies - the malt is not peated - but the water comes from a peaty burn. Tours and tastings in the stunning new Scapa Noust are available.

Cheers to a beer

Orkney Brewery, based at Quoyloo in the west mainland, has won several national and international awards for its beers and is home to fabulous visitor centre and restaurant. Well known beers in the firm's range include Red McGregor, Dark Island, Raven Ale, Northern Light and Skullsplitter - named after a Viking earl. The Swannay Brewery in Evie brews the famous Scapa Special - previously voted Champion Beer of Scotland - along with Orkney Blast, Orkney Best, Island Hopping, and a range of new beers, including Ola lager and Banyan session beer. Both breweries supply cask, bottled, and canned ales, with their ranges widely available throughout the islands.

Raise a glass

In recent years gin has become a hugely popular drink which craft producers appearing all over Scotland. Here in Orkney the Deerness Distillery produces a range of gin, vodka, and liqueurs from its East Mainland base, with whisky also currently in production too. The team recently opened a new cafe and shop area, which tastings available as well. In Kirkwall, the Orkney Distillery has its own range of award-winning gins created from its modern premises overlooking the town's harbour. Whisky is also being made here too. Pop in for tasters and tours to find out more. Across the Churchill Barriers, the family-run Orkney Gin Company has had huge success with its range of gin, vodka, and akvavit, and its bottles can be found in shops throughout the islands too. A more recent addition to the local drinks scene is J. Gow Rum, a rum distillery based on the uninhabited Lamb Holm. Its range of rum has been well received across the country, winning several medals and awards at industry events. The small shop sells the rum alongside the family's Orkney Wine, made with local ingredients where possible, including gorse, blackcurrants, sloes, cranberries and rhubarb.