Founded in 2016 by local couple, Stephen & Aly Kemp, who sought a way of combining their passion for craft spirits with their pride in their Orcadian heritage. 

The distillery’s gin range, Kirkjuvagr, reflects the rich history of the islands and the vibrant spirit of Orcadians. In character though, it’s utterly contemporary and has been crafted with the modern, discerning gin enthusiast in mind. Kirkjuvagr, which means Church Bay and is the Old Norse name for Kirkwall, has expanded far beyond its signature gin, Origin — a bold yet smooth spirit where the floral and long finish is warm and sweet. There is a gin for every occasion whether that is the storm-strength Arkh-Angell; Beyla, the honey and raspberry Old Tom; or Aurora, which, full of mouth-watering spice, makes it the perfect winter gin.

Having cut their teeth in the art of crafting beautifully smooth and unmistakably Orcadian gin, The Orkney Distillery have now entered into the world of craft whisky and rum. This summer will see the addition of three new copper pot stills, together with a larger brewhouse which will provide production capacity of around 30,000 litres of pure alcohol per year. 

As an initial step into the whisky market, and before its own single malt becomes available after the minimum three-year maturation period, the distillery has launched its first blended malt whisky, Fara. This non-peated expression contains sweet notes of heather honey and vanilla, accompanied by subtle hints of spiced apple. 

Distillery Tours

Opening Hours:

Off-peak season (March, April, October) 10:00-`18:00 

Peak Season (May, June, July, August, September) 10:00-1800

Situated on Kirkwall’s harbour front, The Orkney Distillery is the ideal attraction for craft spirit enthusiasts looking for a quality visitor experience in the heart of Orkney’s main town. The distillery itself — an imposing and distinctive landmark — has earned Tripadvisor’s ‘Travellers’ Choice’ award for its fourth consecutive year due to glowing feedback from its visitors. 

During peak season, the distillery is open 7 days a week and you can check live availability and book online through our website. And it’s not just for adults. Children can enjoy the tours too (without alcohol of course!)

Guided Gin Tours

Join the Distillery for a captivating journey through Orkney’s past and present, where their spirits weave a tale worthy of a Viking saga. The tour will begin with a short introductory video. Following this, a guide will walk through some of their Orkney-grown botanicals, demonstrating the vast array of flavours and aromas you’ll find in their gin.

Next, you'll be guided through a tasting of four core Kirkjuvagr gins - a voyage through Orkney's seasons and moods. The second half of the tour will take you though the working processes of the distillery, where you’ll see the crafting of their artisanal spirits up close.

The tour will conclude in our front bar which overlooks Kirkwall's historic harbour front, where you can enjoy a complimentary drink of your choice and 10% off in the gift shop.

Guided Whisky Tours

The whisky tour begins with a walk through of the production area where all the magic happens. Your guide will show you the working processes of the distillery, detailing the meticulous nature of their craft and how they bring spirit from grain to glass in one of the smallest whisky operations in Scotland. After this, it’s time to head upstairs to the tasting room overlooking the picturesque Kirkwall harbour. Here, you’ll be guided through a tasting of four drams, each selected to transport you through the history of whisky.

The tour will conclude in our front bar, where you can enjoy a complimentary dram of your choice and 10% off in our gift shop.

To check availability or book a tour, please visit www.orkneydistilling.com.