Dunnet Bay Distillery – Rock Rose Gin by the Stove
A few hours.
The route
Dunnet Bay Distillery makes Rock Rose gin in the village of Dunnet on the Caithness coast, a few miles south of Dunnet Head, with botanicals gathered locally.
Its Premium Tour begins with a gin on the sofas by the wood-burning stove in the Tasting Room, goes through to the two stills, Elizabeth and Margaret, and ends with a tasting of three of the season's spirits. A cosy hour or two on a wild north-coast day for anyone who likes a gin.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is House of the Northern Gate. Sleeps 18.
Book the Premium Tour on Dunnet Bay Distillery's website before you go: from October to March it runs only on the dates its booking calendar shows, at 11am and 2pm (2pm only from April to September), lasts an hour and a half and costs from £22 at the time of writing.
The day
Dunnet
A gin by the stove, the stills, a tasting and the shop, all under one roof by Dunnet Bay.
About two hours
Dunnet Bay Distillery
Dunnet Bay Distillery is on the A836 in the village of Dunnet, on the left coming from Thurso. Park at the distillery, which has its own EV charge point (bring your own cable), or come by bus: the stop is a minute's walk away, and a bus ticket dated that day takes 10% off the tour. From October to March the shop opens Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, and it shuts on Sundays and over the festive period. In those months the Premium Tour runs only on chosen dates, at 11am and 2pm, so find one on the booking calendar on the distillery's website and book it before you go. It takes an hour and a half and costs from £22 at the time of writing. You start with a Rock Rose gin, or a soft drink for drivers, by the stove in the Tasting Room, hearing the stories behind the botanicals. Then it's through to the Still House to see how the bottles are hand-filled and wax-sealed, and back for a tutored tasting of three spirits and a goody bag. Drivers can take their samples home in three 20ml containers of their own. Children come free but can't taste. Dogs get treats and water in the shop and a lead tether outside, but can't join the tour. The distillery is fully accessible for wheelchair users.
If it rains
All of it is under a roof.
Where to stay
Photograph by Dunnet Bay Distillery via Google