Girvan Fine picturesque coastal town Scotland
Located in Ayrshire, Scotland, Girvan is a picturesque coastal town known for its stunning beaches, historic landmarks, and thriving community. With a rich history dating back centuries, Girvan offers visitors a unique taste of Scottish culture and natural beauty.
One of the most notable features of Girvan is its beautiful beaches, including the popular Ailsa Craig Beach. With golden sands and crystal clear waters, these beaches provide the perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation and fun. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking while taking in the spectacular views of the coastline and the nearby Ailsa Craig island.
In addition to its natural beauty, Girvan is also home to several historic landmarks that offer insight into the town’s past. The iconic Turnberry Lighthouse, built in 1873, stands as a testament to Girvan’s maritime history and serves as a popular tourist attraction. Another must-see site is the ruins of the Girvan Old Church, which dates back to the 10th century and offers a glimpse into the town’s medieval past.
Girvan is also known for its vibrant community and lively events. The annual Girvan Folk Festival, held in May, attracts visitors from near and far with its traditional music, dance, and storytelling. The town’s agricultural show, held in August, showcases the region’s farming heritage and features livestock competitions, craft stalls, and food vendors.
Overall, Girvan is a hidden gem in Scotland that offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and community spirit. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beach, explore historic sites, or immerse yourself in local culture, Girvan has something for everyone. With its stunning landscapes, rich history, and welcoming atmosphere, Girvan is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the best of Scotland.
Girvan was originally a fishing port. In 1668, it became a municipal burgh incorporated by charter.
The opening of the railways, initially with the Maybole and Girvan Railway at the end of the 1850s, encouraged the development of Girvan as a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. Holidaying here from 1855 to 1941 were Robert and Elizabeth Gray and their children; particularly Alice and Edith Gray. The family, led principally by Elizabeth and Alice, created scientifically organised collections of fossils for several museums including the Natural History Museum.
Just north of the town is Grangestone Industrial Estate, which hosts a William Grant & Sons distillery which opened in 1964. There is a Nestlé factory that manufactures chocolate that is shipped down to York and used in Kit Kat and Yorkie bars.
Girvan Killochan castle
Killochan Castle is a beautiful blend of old-world elegance with modern-day comforts, entirely yours to enjoy for the duration of your stay.
Step through our doors into a series of magnificent and opulent spaces, or seek out a quiet corner by the roaring fire. Relax and soak up the grandeur of this medieval fortress, dating back 700 years.
The Castle sleeps up to 18 guests in ten majestic bedrooms. A further 22 guests can be accommodated in three beautifully appointed cottages within the grounds. There are also options for our younger guests in the way of cots and pull out beds.
We host private dining experiences for up to 40 guests, and receptions for up to 60 guests.
Killochan Castle is exclusively yours for celebrations, weddings, country sports and corporate events. With superb access to a selection of the UK’s most prestigious golf courses.
Hendrick’s Gin
THE GIRVAN DISTILLERY, GIRVAN, KA26 9PT COMPANY NO. SC236185
Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret
Imbued with untamed exuberance and poetry, Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret boasts a rich ensemble of bright flavours that seduce the senses. It’s designed to appeal to free spirited souls seeking a wildly indulgent, yet altogether refreshing spirit for their glorious gatherings. The exquisitely extravagant expression will be the biggest release yet from Hendrick’s Cabinet of Curiosities and will be available in over 50 markets internationally.
1999 – TRIUMPH OF THE UNUSUAL Finally, Mr. Gordon and Ms. Gracie achieve “a peculiar sort of deliciousness” by firing up BOTH the Carter-Head and Bennett Stills with an odd symphony of botanicals further enlivened with curious infusions of cucumber and rose. Against all odds, they concoct the odd perfection that becomes known as HENDRICK’S Gin.
Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, was inspired after reading about a stone fruit eau de vie that was served with a dash of gin and scented with rose, which gained popularity at fashionable Parisian parties in the early 1900s. This eau de vie was in turn inspired by a 17th Century revelation: the distilling of stone fruit which yielded a wildly indulgent tasty potion.
Lesley has long been tantalised by the notion of experimenting with unusual combinations of botanical fruits, and yet this was the first time she’s selected stone fruits to anchor a rich cabaret of flavours in a gin. Pirouettes of decadent stone fruit share the stage with sweet herbs and make for an elegant sensory feast that is deliciously indulgent and yet as light as silk.
Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, comments: “I’m always looking for inspiration and this time I found it leafing through historical recipes for stone fruit spirits – eaux de vies, peach schnapps, cherry liqueurs and the like – when those indulgent stone fruit flavours were really the ‘in thing’ for those that had the means to celebrate in spectacular style. I played around and found that when you put these different stone fruit flavours together, they give you a nice rich depth of flavour. I added sweet herbs to round the vibrant fruit out. It’s the first time I’ve experimented with stone fruits and I love how it adds a decadent depth of flavour, whilst maintaining a refreshing lightness.”
Ally Martin, Hendrick’s Global Brand Ambassador, adds: “It’s fascinating to dig deep into cocktail history and see what flavour combinations captivated creative minds in Paris at the turn of the 20th Century. Stone fruit flavours, rose scents and gin were a magical combination in the most opulent of establishments, and who better to deftly combine these flavours today than Hendrick’s Master Distiller, alchemist and liquid poet, Lesley Gracie.
“It’s ideal in a Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret and Tonic, but if you want to be a little fancier, the Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Royale is an indulgent way celebrate. It combines Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret, cranberry, lime and a touch of sugar syrup which is topped with Champagne or sparkling wine for added decadence.”
The Hendrick’s GRAND CABARET bottle features a luxurious purple hue and is adorned with an eclectic mix of intriguing icons, including a stunning chandelier, a nod to the extravagant gatherings which inspired the liquid’s creation.
HENDRICK’S FLORA ADORA
Within the walls of the HENDRICK’S GIN Palace Garden, a most magical party is flourishing! Butterflies and bees dance in dizzy reverie, feasting on a banquet of fragrant flowers laid out especially by Ms Lesley Gracie. Now our Master Distiller wishes to invite you to join in these enchanting celebrations and introduce you to this delectable limited release Scottish Gin. 43.4% ABV
Perfect for casual get-togethers, HENDRICK’S FLORA ADORA is buzzing with an enticing aroma of enchanting flowers and a fresh, herbal character that is classically HENDRICK’S in style. The juniper and coriander backbone are lengthened by lush green and wonderfully sweet floral characteristics, creating a wonderfully balanced gin. Exquisite with tonic and a slice of cucumber, or perhaps try mixed long in a Wildgarden Cup – a medley of fresh mint, cooling cucumber and juicy raspberries lengthened with a refreshing lemon soda.
HENDRICK’S ORIGINAL GIN
GIN
THE ORIGINAL HENDRICK’S GIN, ODDLY INFUSED WITH CUCUMBER AND ROSE.
HENDRICK’S GIN is created via an absurdly inefficient, yet quite glorious process. In essence, to make one gin, we first create two. One on an old-fashioned pot still, yielding a rich and intricate spirit. The other on a long-necked Carter Head, producing a delicate, more refined spirit. Each still is infused with an unusual symphony of 11 botanicals: chamomile, elderflower, juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, caraway, coriander, cubeb berries, angelica root, yarrow root and orris root. The gins from the two stills are then married together and graced with curious yet marvellous infusions of Rose and Cucumber.
This odd method of making gin enables HENDRICK’S to taste light, yet intriguingly complex. The result is a wondrously refreshing gin with a delightfully floral aroma, elevating any gin cocktail and all occasions.
HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA
The sea is everything! Invigorated by a bracing breath of fresh coastal air and entranced by the endless living mysteries of the sea, Ms. Lesley Gracie considered a bold possibility: She longed to express the glorious sensory delights of the coast, as a gin. And so began HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA GIN. HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA GIN is a limited release that captures the magic of the sea, in a gin. 43.4% ABV.
Our first maritime release, the fresh sea-song notes characteristic of native coastal flora vigorously emboldens HENDRICK’S signature combination of Cucumber and Rose, culminating in an astonishingly smooth citrus finish.
HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA GIN is a captivating base for gin cocktails, and especially so in the following gin classics: HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA’S complex smoothness creates a beguilingly flavoursome GIN & TONIC; The Curious Margarita is given fathoms of new depth: HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA GIN is a thrilling base for the Gin Gimlet. Navigate other fine sea cocktails in the coastally glorious company of HENDRICK’S first and only seaside gin.
Do not be secretive about your own HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA GIN adventures! Share a photograph, drawing or etching of yourself & your HENDRICK’S NEPTUNIA GIN cocktail. Go on, we dare you! Bizarre costumes and names (for you or the cocktails) are optional. #HendricksNeptunia
HENDRICK’S AMAZONIA
OUR MOST EXOTIC RELEASE WITH FRESH VIBRANT NOTES CHARACTERISTIC OF NATIVE JUNGLE FLORA. TRAVEL RETAIL ONLY.
It took a perilous quest into the depths of the Amazon jungle to discover the exact exquisite botanicals Ms. Lesley Gracie desired to create HENDRICK’S AMAZONIA GIN. Available exclusively at airports, this LIMITED RELEASE bright, tropical gin is inspired by her audacious adventure. 43.4% ABV
Our most exotic release, the fresh vibrant notes characteristic of native jungle flora finely accentuates HENDRICK’S signature combination of Cucumber and Rose.
HENDRICK’S AMAZONIA GIN is fiendishly good in cocktails, and especially so in the following gin classics: HENDRICK’S AMAZONIA’S freshness enlivens the Gimlet; All punches are invigorated by the fresh, verdant flavour profile; The Pina Colada is given a new scintillatingly exotic depth: HENDRICK’S AMAZONIA is a thrilling gin base for the Espresso Martini for the seductively rich combination of coffee and our gin’s tropical notes. It is also utterly out-of-this-world for the beloved Corpse Reviver and sublime Tom Collins, two wonderfully unique gin cocktails.
HENDRICK’S LUNAR
A DEEPLY FLORAL AND RICHLY AROMATIC LIMITED RELEASE.
HENDRICK’S LUNAR is a delightfully smooth and alluring gin that is rich with night blooming floral essence, offering a delicate balance of warm baked spices, and finished with a crisp burst of citrus. LUNAR is best enjoyed during casual nights at home and is a curious companion for sundowners and starry nights with friends. 43.4% ABV.
HENDRICK’S LUNAR GIN is deeply floral and richly aromatic. It is an intriguing combination of the refreshing and the warm, designed to be shared and savoured on an evening as the sun goes down and the moon charges the sky.
This limited release gin is devised under a waxing crescent by master distiller Ms. Lesley Gracie. It’s for slow sipping, fanciful conversations and other contemplative pleasures and blends perfectly in mysterious, smoky gin cocktails.
HENDRICK’S MIDSUMMER SOLSTICE
IN CELEBRATING OF THE ETERNAL MYSTERIES OF THE MIDSUMMER SOLSTICE.
Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice is A DEEPLY FLORAL gin inspired by the eternal mystery of nature’s most vivid blooms on the Midsummer solstice. This delightful and refreshing take on the Hendrick’s house style is Lesley Gracie’s tribute to the sensory powers of the midsummer solstice, when botanicals (and flowers in particular are believed to be at their most powerful. 41.1 % ABV.
The longer days and evenings call out for a light and crisp libation. With playful lightness & wicked crispness, this flirtatiously floral incarnation of HENDRICK’S is perfect for day-casions, such as brunch in summertime.
HENDRICK’S ORBIUM
A QUININATED GIN THAT MAKES FOR MASTERFUL MARTINIS.
ORBIUM is a re-imagining of Hendrick’s Gin by our Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie. It is what Hendrick’s might taste like in a parallel universe. Instilled with additional extracts of Quinine, Wormwood and Blue Lotus Blossom, the result is an oddly exquisite gin that sits roundly on the palate. 43% ABV.
Orbium contains the same distillates as Hendrick’s Gin, however, the same remarkable mind that broke conventions infusing gin with essences of cucumber and rose has now taken gin in an altogether new direction by infusing flavours that are traditionally associated with classic gin libations; quinine found in tonic (G&T) and wormwood found in Vermouth (Martini’s). But it is not yet quite Orbium.
The addition of Blue Lotus Blossom exquisitely balances the overall flavour; but, the trinity of essences create a complex gin with surprising brightness and a finish that is uncommonly long. The result is an unfamiliar taste that is oddly familiar in character, designed to open up previously unexplored dimensions of gin as it spirals from floral into an altogether deeper and alluringly bitter place.
HENDRICK’S KANARACUNI
INSPIRED BY PECULIAR BOTANICALS FROM THE VENEZUELAN RAINFOREST.
ollowing an intrepid and most perilous quest deep into the heart of the Venezuelan rainforest, Hendrick’s Gin Master Distiller Lesley Gracie created an extraordinary, and exceptionally rare, batch of special edition gin – Hendrick’s Kanaracuni.
In 2013, Lesley Gracie and Global Ambassador, David Piper ventured into the Venezuelan rainforest under the stewardship of renowned explorer, Charles Brewer-Carias and expert botanist, Francisco Delascio. Trekking through several different terrains of the Guiana Highlands, from savannahs and mountain foots to riverbanks and dense jungle, Lesley tested many promising plant species using her tiny ten-litre alembic still. One botanical in particular captured her senses, that of the most unusual, ‘Scorpion Tail’ with its intriguing complex deep green note.
In the heart of the jungle, Lesley prepared 8.4 litres of Scorpion Tail concentrate, which she successfully transported in her suitcase back to the distillery. Curious to see how the Scorpion Tail distillate would work with Hendrick’s Gin, Lesley immediately got to work on the special edition batch.
Working out the exact balance of the flavour of the new botanical with the existing cucumber and rose infused Hendrick’s gin took some time before the winning formulation came to fruition. Hendrick’s Kanaracuni, which is named after the village where the expedition team were based during their two-week research trip, was not available for retail and only 560 bottles were made. Were you one of the lucky ones that managed to sample this treasure?
Hendrick’s Gin
Garvin
