ISLE OF HARRIS
Distillery
Founded in 2015
The Isle of Harris Distillery opened its doors in September 2015, after a seven-year commercial drive to secure funding and the future of the distillery project. The Isle of Harris is located in the Hebrides; an island off the North West coast of Scotland.
Its industry relies on tourism, and the founders of the Distillery wanted to create something that would add to the island’s economy, boasting and celebrating its natural resources. Isle of Harris is described as a ‘social distillery’, which ties it back to the community which helped to build it.
Harris has a population of just over 1,900, and everyone who works with or on this brand feels very much a part of it. That’s why guests are invited to see the distillery at work six days a week, visit the shop (which sells local produce, not just the distillery’s wares) and have a drink around the fire afterward with the people who make it all happen.
Its industry relies on tourism, and the founders of the Distillery wanted to create something that would add to the island’s economy, boasting and celebrating its natural resources. Isle of Harris is described as a ‘social distillery’, which ties it back to the community which helped to build it.
Harris has a population of just over 1,900, and everyone who works with or on this brand feels very much a part of it. That’s why guests are invited to see the distillery at work six days a week, visit the shop (which sells local produce, not just the distillery’s wares) and have a drink around the fire afterward with the people who make it all happen.
Distillery Details
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CountryUnited Kingdom
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Established2015
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OwnerIndependent
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Visitor centerYes
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StatusActive
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AddressTarbert, Isle of Harris HS3 3DJ
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Phone01859 502212
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Website
Dog Dogson's
Smartass
Corner
Corner
The only place to buy a bottle of Isle of Harris Gin is directly from the Distillery, a decision made to ensure that every bottle is personally presented, in the best possible light.
Video from Isle of Harris
Video transcription
Woman: This new facility in Tarbert, Harris provides islanders with employment opportunities and it also gives visitors a fabulous place to enjoy.
Anderson: The things that flow from the production of a good Malt Whiskey can benefit the community. The heart of something should be the fire, the living fire. The opening ceremony should really be about that. Inclusive of the community and of Harris is so important to us because we get everything from the island. I mean, the water is here that we're making the Whiskey from. It's running over the rocks, and the raw materials, and the good will from the island that's poured forth in the last few years.
Rachel: This distillery that's based in Tarbert here in a very fragile area, on a community on land will be transformational to the whole of the outer Hebrides. We're seeing the distillery already working with other food and drink producers to sell their produce here, to make this more of a destination, and selling the Hebrides brand.
Woman 2: And usually you finish off in the flavor room, but we're gonna be starting off in here. We want people to be aware of the different smells and aromas that they should be getting as they...as the... Lord
John: Well the benefits have started already because it's kept a lot of the local people working over the past two years, I should say. But as I look forward to the future, it's going to give a big boost to tourism, because distilleries attract people. And this one is unique. And so we see...
Anderson: The things that flow from the production of a good Malt Whiskey can benefit the community. The heart of something should be the fire, the living fire. The opening ceremony should really be about that. Inclusive of the community and of Harris is so important to us because we get everything from the island. I mean, the water is here that we're making the Whiskey from. It's running over the rocks, and the raw materials, and the good will from the island that's poured forth in the last few years.
Rachel: This distillery that's based in Tarbert here in a very fragile area, on a community on land will be transformational to the whole of the outer Hebrides. We're seeing the distillery already working with other food and drink producers to sell their produce here, to make this more of a destination, and selling the Hebrides brand.
Woman 2: And usually you finish off in the flavor room, but we're gonna be starting off in here. We want people to be aware of the different smells and aromas that they should be getting as they...as the... Lord
John: Well the benefits have started already because it's kept a lot of the local people working over the past two years, I should say. But as I look forward to the future, it's going to give a big boost to tourism, because distilleries attract people. And this one is unique. And so we see...
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