Our Story

OUR HOME

At the very tip of the British isles lie the Shetland Islands, where the North Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is a place of mystery and secrets. Of long summer days and long winter nights. Of dramatic weather.

Emerging from this remote community is the Saxa Vord Distillery, the most northerly in the UK, started by four people sharing a passion for producing top quality products in local communities.

Our distillery is located at the northern end of Unst, the most northerly inhabited island in the UK, only accessible from the Shetland mainland by two ferry journeys, via the island of Yell. It is closer to Norway in distance and in culture than it is to much of Scotland. 

OUR HISTORY

The Shetland Distillery Company was created by four people sharing a passion for producing top quality products in local communities.

Over the past 12 years, Frank and Debbie Strang have regenerated the former RAF site at Saxa Vord, Unst into an award-winning tourist resort with year round self-catering accommodation, seasonal hostel and bar/restaurant.

Stuart and Wilma Nickerson own and operate The Malt Whisky Company which releases its own range of independently bottled single cask, single malt Scotch whiskies. Stuart has worked in the Scotch whisky industry since 1979, managing several of the most well-known distilleries.

There is a shared desire to build not only the most northerly Scotch whisky distillery and the most northern gin distillery in the UK but to also create the finest expressions of these two products, in the distillery on Unst.

OUR GIN 

Our aim from the beginning was to be inspired by our surroundings, using local botanicals to create a gin that is completely unique and embodies the place where it originates.

Initially our small batch gin production was only available within Shetland. However, word spread and our gin is now enjoyed by customers all over the world. With demand increasing beyond our expectation we continue to distil all our gin on site by our small but growing local team. 

GUIDED TASTINGS

We hold guided tastings throughout the year , one per day, on Tuesday to Saturday from 12 noon at a price of £20 per person.

Outside of these scheduled timings and months we will always try to accommodate for groups of 4 or more, please get in touch

To find out more please visit our guided tastings page.

Booking is by appointment only in advance so if you'd like to come along and see us, please book online or give us a call on 01957 711 217.  We'd love to see you!