Isle of Harris Scotland.
Off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris form the main island in the Outer Hebrides. With dramatic landscapes, a unique Gaelic culture and fascinating history, Lewis and Harris are a great place to start your Hebridean adventure. You will be blown away by wild mountains, immense white beaches, rugged coastlines and lunar landscapes.
In the further reaches of bonnie Scotland, you may be surprised to find this island paradise. A paradise of white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, paired with wild rocky landscapes and a good dose of fresh Scottish air.
People imagine rocky crags and chilly winds when thinking of the more distant regions of Scotland, however the beautiful Isle of Harris will surprise you at every turn, making this a unique and special holiday destination to all who visit. It’s the kind of scenery you might expect down on the southern coast or on the other side of the world in some tropical destination, but the Isle of Harris is a unique and breathtaking island, perfect to add to your bucket list and ideal for your next holiday to Scotland.
Tarbert.
Tarbert is the main port and main settlement of Harris, with a population of about 550. The name Tarbert comes from the Norse tairbeart meaning “portage” or “isthmus”. It is located on an isthmus between Loch Tarbert and West Loch Tarbert.
Isle of Harris Gin.
Tarbert, Isle of Harris HS3 3DJ, Verenigd Koninkrijk
FOR, WITH, AND FROM THE ISLE OF HARRIS
OUR ISLAND STORY BEGINS
The Isle of Harris Distillery began with a simple idea.
Over the decades, our island has suffered from a long-term decline in population, our community’s numbers having halved over the last fifty years.
As young people leave our shores to seek their fortune, few are able to return to find work, set down roots and build a life in the place they called home. We believe that a distillery, built for not just years but for generations, can be a way to help stem this tide.
In 2015, the distillery started life with just 10 people and an ambition to double in number over the next five years. Today, we’re proud to say we employ over 50 permanent staff, a highly significant number in an island of fewer than 2000 inhabitants.
As a catalyst for positive change within our community, we continue to work with purpose, bringing new life to our island and supporting its aspirations to survive and thrive as we move forward together.
IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY
SPEND TIME WITH US IN TARBERT
Our distillery can be found in the heart of the Isle of Harris, a small Outer Hebridean island off the far north-west of Scotland.
In a harbour village, just yards from the waters of East Loch Tarbert, a white and copper-clad building holds a family of local men and women dedicated to making beautiful island spirits with pride and provenance.
Inside, a burning peat fire is lit daily to welcome visitors and symbolise a deep sense of warmth and hospitality in the tradition of the generations which have gone before us.
Our doors are open to all, six days a week, with a true island welcome awaiting those who take the long road to see us.
Hear our stories, sample our spirits, shop for exclusive local wares, enjoy coffee or a cocktail, and relax among friends by our fireside.
OUR ISLAND SPIRIT
Our local distillers create this first gin offering from our island distillery in a small copper gin still (“The Dotach”) which sits alongside her larger whisky-making sisters in the distillery’s bright Spirit Hall.
Our key local ingredient is Sugar Kelp seaweed, gathered sustainably by hand from local sea-lochs, as our key botanical to express our island’s unique maritime nature.
Sugar Kelp works in harmony with seven other careful chosen botanicals: Juniper, coriander seeds, cubebs, cassia bark, angelica root, bitter orange peel, and liquorice root.
Every bottle Isle of Harris Gin bears a paper seal with our distillery’s geographical coordinates to show where it is made, your guarantee of a truly Outer Hebridean gin, distilled in the Isle of Harris and nowhere else.
DISTILLERY TOUR
Come behind the scenes to witness the heart of our whisky and gin distilling operation at our working distillery here in the Isle of Harris.
Our knowledgeable local tour hosts are looking forward to sharing a dram and a story or two with you.
Discover the stories surrounding The Hearach single malt whisky, sample our award-winning whisky and gin, and even enjoy a jellybean or three!
A warm Harris welcome awaits…‘thig a chèilidh oirnn’.
PLEASE NOTE…
Unfortunately for Health and Safety reasons, children under the age of 12 are not permitted on our Distillery tour.
We will provide a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour starts, this will be refunded to the original method of payment.
No refunds will be made to tours cancelled after the 24 hours. Please email to arrange a cancellation.
Due to the demand of our tours during the peak season, we cannot guarantee rescheduling.
If you do wish to change to another tour time you must cancel the tour and rebook a new tour.
Thank you!
