Achi news desk-
The Orkney Gin Company, founded by husband-and-wife team Gary and Andrea Watt, uses a traditional process to distill its spirits, which include gin, vodka and “Scotland’s first akvavit”.
The team “hand-picks its base botanicals, slowly distills the spirits up to eight times, and hand-fills and corks its Selkie Folk-inspired bottles, which are designed internal in a nod to Orkney history and folklore”.
Most of The Orkney Gin Company’s customer base is wholesalers, but Trade, John Lewis, Amazon and other online stores also sell its products, as well as its own website.
After securing their operating license in 2015, Gary and Andrea initially approached Business Gateway, which is supported by the Scottish Government, for start-up support, and received advice on their business plan and help to secure their first premises.
Gary Watt, co-owner and distiller at The Orkney Gin Company, said: “We’re passionate about our Orcadian roots and about gin, so we knew we could create something amazing when we approached Business Gateway for help with the set-up. up.
“We really thought our business would remain a local one, but we’ve enjoyed steady demand over the years, and it snowballed after we won our first World Gin Award.”
The business saw a huge increase in sales after its Aatta gin, Christmas Old Tom gin and Orkney Akvavit appeared on James Martin’s Saturday Morning ITV programme.
Mr Watt continued: “James and his team approached us at the Country Living Fair in 2022 and we couldn’t believe it. We are a small scale family business at heart, so we were delighted that someone of James’s profile liked our gin so much.”
As well as increased sales, The Orkney Gin Company has also secured additional trade customers, and increased its website and social media subscribers since the program aired. The business also saw an increase in sales for its Orkney Akvavit.
Looking to the future, they are now turning their attention to securing larger sites to keep up with product demand, with the overall aim of introducing a visitor center to maximize Orkney tourism.
Mr Watt said: “We would love to open a visitor center in Orkney, and we will certainly be reaching out to Business Gateway for advice on this next step in our journey. They have already referred us to various Covid Bounce Back funding schemes, which have been so helpful in keeping our operations going.
“Business Gateway has been a great support to our business operations over the years, so I’m sure their continued support will be valuable as we enter this next chapter.”
Popular landmark bar and restaurant sold out
The Waterside Restaurant & Bar in Strathaven has been sold to an “experienced private operator” in an off-market deal, after being in the same hands for around a decade.
The current owner is retiring, said Christie & Co. The estate agent stated that the sale indicated that “the existing operators are keen to grow their business and obtain opportunities that either trade well or offer potential for growth”.
Airline launches new route from Scottish airport
An airline is launching a new route between Scotland and one of Spain’s most famous cities.
Spanish budget carrier Vueling, based in Viladecans and owned by British Airways parent IAG, is starting twice-weekly flights to Barcelona this month. Edinburgh Airport said: “With new Vueling flights, it’s even easier to fly to one of Europe’s most stunning cities. Sunshine. Seafood. Shopping. Sport.”
