Borders Distillery, Commercial Rd, Hawick TD9 7AQ, UK
Kerrs Gin Passionate Love For Plants
HOMEGROWN
William Kerr was born in Hawick in 1779 and became one of the 19th century’s most accomplished botanists. With his passion for plants, Kerr would likely have approved of our Carterhead Still, which gently steams our botanicals in the spirit vapours, rather than boiling them like most other gin stills. This captures more of the subtle aromas and complex flavours.
Every drop of Kerr’s Gin is made from Scottish Borders barley, with every grain grown within 35 miles of the distillery. Our long-term partnerships with local farmers give us complete control over the creation of our spirit, from barley to bottle. Kerr’s is the only Scottish Gin made with malted barley spirit in a Carterhead Still, and we believe you can taste the difference.
KERR’S GIN
£30.00
Kerr’s Gin – every drop made from Scottish Borders barley, and every grain grown within 35 miles of our Hawick distillery, entirely distilled by The Borders Distillery. And, the 2021 Gold winner of the Warsaw Spirits Competition. Our long-term partnerships with local farmers give us complete control over the creation of our spirit, from barley to bottle. Kerr’s is a Scottish Gin made with malted barley spirit in a Carterhead Still, and we believe you can taste the difference.
William Kerr was born in Hawick in 1779 and became one of the 19th century’s most accomplished botanists. With his passion for plants, we think Kerr would have approved of our Carterhead Still, which gently steams our botanicals in the spirit vapours, rather than boiling them like most other gin stills. This captures more of the subtle aromas and complex flavours.
Enjoy Kerr’s Gin poured over lots of ice, topped with a good tonic water, and a juicy slice of orange.
Please drink responsibly. Over 18s only.
70cl bottle, 43% ABV
KERR’S NAVY STRENGTH GIN
£50.00
This extraordinarily vivid liquid is a limited-edition run of the first new expression of our original Kerr’s Gin. Distilled at 57.1% ABV, Kerr’s Navy Strength Gin masters the balance of intensity and smoothness. The rich blue design features state of the art printing technology, with Kerr’s Navy Strength Gin being the first Borders Distillery bottle to be completely paperless. Only 2,022 bottles will ever be released for sale.
Kerr’s Gin – every drop made from Scottish Borders barley, and every grain grown within 35 miles of our Hawick distillery, entirely distilled by The Borders Distillery. Our long-term partnerships with local farmers give us complete control over the creation of our spirit, from barley to bottle. Kerr’s is a Scottish Gin made with malted barley spirit in a Carterhead Still, and we believe you can taste the difference.
William Kerr was born in Hawick in 1779 and became one of the 19th century’s most accomplished botanists. With his passion for plants, we think Kerr would have approved of our Carterhead Still, which gently steams our botanicals in the spirit vapours, rather than boiling them like most other gin stills. This captures more of the subtle aromas and complex flavours.
Enjoy Kerr’s Gin poured over lots of ice, topped with a good tonic water, and a juicy slice of orange.
Please drink responsibly. Over 18s only.
70cl bottle, 57.1% ABV
Kerrs Gin Passionate Love For Plants
The Border Distillery
FROM SEED TO SPIRIT
At The Borders Distillery we only use locally-grown Scottish Borders barley, all harvested from 12 farms lying within 35 miles of Hawick. This helps to keep the delivery of our barley as eco-friendly as possible, whilst also supporting the local economy.
Once at the distillery, the barley begins the journey of its transformation into a spirit – the whole process of which happens in the building. Our distillery was designed to create an environment that would allow for sustainable production. With thanks to our Borders Growers and Distillers programme, we are able to keep a watchful eye on the entire process, from seed to spirit.
OUR FARMING COMMUNITY
Our Growers & Distillers programme is a long-term partnership between The Borders Distillery, Simpsons Malt LTD and 12 local farming businesses in the Scottish Borders.
Essentially, the Growers & Distillers programme guarantees us access to high quality and responsibly produced crops, helping The Borders Distillery to be an eco-conscious distillery from the very beginning.
You can see on our Growers and Distillers map exactly where our barley comes from!
OUR JOURNEY TO ZERO WASTE
As we strive to become a Zero Waste distillery, we work the organic by-product from distillation going to local farms where it is used to grow plants (including some delicious tomatoes!).
The organic by-product from those farms goes back in turn to the barley fields – making for a circular economy within Borders farming, with the distillery at its centre.
TODAY’S RAIN
Tomorrow’s Whisky
Making whisky involves using a lot of water. Having sustainable supplies of water as both an ingredient and for production were key considerations in choosing a location for the distillery.
For the water which goes into the spirit, we draw from an underground lake deep beneath the site. The lake’s water takes between 50 and 70 years to filter down from the hills through the rock. Even if it never rained again (unlikely in the Borders!) the lake contains enough pure water to last the distillery for thousands of years. And right outside our front door, the River Teviot offers a continuous source of fast-flowing water – perfect for cooling the spirit as it comes from the stills.
THE PROOF IS IN THE BUILDING
Our award-winning distillery had an exciting life before it became ours. Built in the 19th Century, this iconic landmark of Hawick was a former electrical board, and in the 1930s, the site transformed into an engineering firm.
It was rediscovered by our founders in 2014, and finding a new purpose for such an iconic building was vital for its survival. Old buildings such as TBD need to be cared for and used in order to preserve them – and we feel privileged to look after this building so it may survive for the next generation.
A REGENERATED DISTILLERY
A lot of love was needed to renovate the old Edwardian electrical works into a manual distillery. During the renovation, it was key that the building had character and function, while being eco-friendly. From wild-garden roofs to self-ventilating Victorian windows, the distillery building has been preserved and reinvented to house conscientious production methods.
This was officially recognised when The Borders Distillery won both the RIAS Conservation and Climate Change Award 2019 and the EAA Architectural Regeneration / Conservation Award in 2019.
In part, this was due to the emphasis we placed on reuse and preservation during the renovation of the former building. Keeping the Victorian glass ceilings lets our distillers work in natural light, and the salvaging of old teak school desks were used to create furniture and windowsills.
OUR BOTTLES
The recent release of The Borders Distillery’s ‘Kerr’s Navy Strength Gin’ was the first time the distillery experimented with 100% paperless packaging. The result? Beautiful bottles that are easy to recycle.
Additionally, our bottles can live more than one life. A perfect water decanter or flower vase once empty, our high standards for premium bottles mean that they are long lasting and resilient.
OUR TEAM
THE PEOPLE AT THE BORDERS DISTILLERY
The Borders Distillery opened in 2018 – founded by John Fordyce, Tim Carton, Tony Roberts, and George Tait, all veterans of the Scotch Whisky industry. They had a vision of bringing distilling back to the Borders by building the first whisky distillery in the region since 1837.
Our talented team of distillers can turn their hands to every aspect of running the distilling operation – from milling and mashing, through fermentation and distillation, and on to filling casks and racking them in our warehouses. And on top of all that, we don’t have any tour guides here at The Borders Distillery – instead it’s the distillers themselves who show our visitors around. If you’d like to come and meet the team, please join us for a distillery tour.
EXPLORE THE BORDERS
Discover our neighbourhood – there’s lots to see in The Borders.
WELCOME TO THE BORDERS
So, you’ve made it to The Borders! Land of Cashmere, Tweed and now Scotch Whisky.
As well as a visit to the distillery, there are many other Scottish Borders and Hawick attractions. These include the Borders Textile Towerhouse in which the heritage of Scotland’s premier textile manufacturing region is presented within a restored 16th-century tower house. Wilton Lodge Park, on the wooded banks of the River Teviot, has 107 acres of riverside and tree-lined walks, and a walled garden. The Hawick Museum and Scott Gallery detail Hawick’s history and provide a venue for visiting exhibitions.
The distillery is proud to be a part of Famously Hawick – a celebration of the town’s rich manufacturing heritage and its international reputation for producing quality goods.
ATTRACTIONS
Of course, you can’t miss the amazing Borders Distillery when in The Borders… but we also have a tonne of other things to see.
Melrose Abbey is one of the most famous ruins in Scotland. Founded by David I in 1136 for the Cistercian Order, it was largely destroyed by Richard II’s English army in 1385. The surviving remains of the church are of the early 15th century. Explore the rich history and artifacts found during the excavation. A popular alternative is the rustic Jedburgh Abbey.
The Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre in Jedburgh is steeped in history as Mary Queen of Scots spent a month there in 1566. Discover paintings, objects and textiles from the time and learn about her life as Queen of Scotland.
Looking for a soft activity? Visit Johnstons of Elgin’s Hawick knitting mill where the highest quality Cashmere and Merino Wool products are produced. Learn about Hawick’s rich heritage of craftsmanship and enjoy some of the finer things that this industrial town has to offer.
Looking for something to do off the beaten track? Why not trot along with some of the Borders friendliest residents – Alpacas! Yes, you can take some fluffy friends on a trek in the scenic Cheviot Hills.
COFFEE BREAK
If you’re a coffee lover, you should check out The Damascus Drum in Hawick. A small, friendly café on Silver Street who serve the best coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, as well as small plates, making it the perfect spot for your weekend brunch. The café has a traditional, boho feel, and if you’re a bookworm, they have a second-hand book shop at the back where there is a huge selection of books to peruse. All their ingredients are ethically and fairly sourced, using a variety of local produce.
The Three Hills Coffee Co. in Selkirk is an independent coffee roaster, based in the Borders. In 2018, they decided to open a coffee shop on Selkirk High Street, to show off their fine roasts and artisan drinks. The café has a fun, modern feel with friendly staff and of course, excellent coffee. Fancy having a go at being a barista yourself? They offer barista training workshops so you can learn the art of coffee for yourself.
DINING IN THE BORDERS
Burts House Hotel in Melrose is well recommended by our team, with two AA Rosettes every year since 1995 for its delicious food and drinks, and use of Borders produce.
La Locanda Romana is an Italian restaurant in Hawick, highly rated by our team. Paolo’s Italian in Galashiels is another option for some delicious Italian food.
Schloss Roxburghe Hotel is a luxury hotel just outside of Kelso who have 2 great restaurants – Charlie’s which is a bistro style restaurant, and Sunlaws which offers delicious tasting menus. They serve sustainably sourced food and the best of Borders produce.
Taste of Spice is an Indian restaurant in Selkirk which is highly-rated by our team for delicious Indian cuisine.
The Hoebridge in Gattonside is an independent restaurant who create small, seasonal menus that change monthly. They use Scottish produce, with most sourced from the Scottish Borders. They also have a gorgeous garden to sit and soak up that Borders sunshine.
The Black Bull in Lauder is another team-recommended spot. They serve different cuisines, all made using the best of local produce, and the specials are to die for.
The Capon Tree Townhouse is in Jedburgh. They specialise in contemporary cuisine and bold flavours created by their chef, Alasdair Wilkie.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Beachy keen to discover the lush sands of the Borders? Being in the south-east of Scotland means that the Borders has lots of beautiful, sandy beaches and (in theory, making no promises) warmer weather than the west of Scotland.
If you’re into rocks, Siccar Point has Site of Special Scientific Interest Status as James Hutton (the so-called Father of Geology) founded his ‘Theory of the Earth’ here, not to mention the stunning views, especially as the sun rises and sets. Pease Bay is another picture-perfect beach with the striking red rock and white sand that Berwickshire is famous for. Visit the Pease Bridge while you are at it, which stands a whopping 130ft tall. Coldingham Bay is a sheltered sandy beach near St Abbs that attracts kayakers, surfers and paddlers alike.
Eyemouth is a fishing town on the Borders coast with a rich history that carries on ‘til this day. Grab a chippy and watch the boats in the harbour or take a seat on the beach for the true seaside experience.
If you’re a golfer, the Borders boasts 21 golf courses, you can find a full list of courses here.
The Borders has plenty of places to walk too, with 1500 miles of dedicated walking routes, five hills over 2460ft and 40 hills in total, there are many options. Six Borders routes are part of Scotland’s Great Trails:
Berwickshire Coastal Path
Borders Abbeys Way
Cross Borders Drove Road
Roman abd Reivers’ Route
St Cuthbert’s Way
Southern Upland Way
AS AN ALL-YEAR-ROUND WORKING DISTILLERY, THE TOUR WILL BE CONDUCTED WHILST THE DISTILLERY IS IN FULL USE. WATCH OUR DELICIOUS SPIRITS BEING PRODUCED RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES.
THE BUILDING
The Borders Distillery building is an award-winning conversion of the former Edwardian electrical works, and it is proud to be the first Scotch Whisky Distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837.
Our architects made it a priority to preserve as much of the beauty of the former building as possible, such as the high Victorian glass ceilings that allow the distilling halls to be lit up by the Scottish sun. Or the steel hoist structure from the original workshop that has gone on to become a picture window frame to the shop. Or the old teak school desks, which were salvaged and reused to form furniture and windowsills.
On the tour you will discover how it was through creative solutions and forward-thinking such as this, that The Borders Distillery won the RIAS Conservation and Climate Change Award 2019 and the EAA Architectural Awards 2019 – Regeneration/Conservation Award.
THE DISTILLERY TOUR
During our whisky distillery Tour, you will be guided through our production areas, learning the whisky making process as we go along. You will find out how we use local barley to distil Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Kerr’s Gin, and Puffing Billy Steam Vodka.
The guided tour will take you through our mashing, fermentation, and distillation halls. Our spirits are made from seed to spirit, all within the distillery. This means your distillery tour will cover all that happens in between to create our drinks, including what we do to give it its unique qualities and taste. Of course, your tour will end with the chance to sample our spirit in the distillery bar.
Unlike at many other distilleries, you may take photographs throughout the tour. In fact, we encourage photos – the natural light let in by the glass ceilings has the added benefit of creating picturesque scenes throughout the distillery.
TOUR INFO
The available times for our seasonal distillery tours are Monday-Saturday 11am, 1pm and 3pm, running throughout the summer season.
Walk-ins are welcome to join our allocated tour time, subject to the availability. You are also welcome to visit our distillery Visitor Centre Monday-Saturday 10am-4:30pm.
Call our distillery to book on 01450 374330 or purchase tickets using the link below. Tickets are priced at £20pp, under 18s are welcome to tour free of charge and do not require a booking space, but must be accompanied by an adult.
Please note we run seasonal opening times, and can welcome a maximum of 12 guests. Under 18s are welcome to tour free of charge, but must be accompanied by an adult.
A 5* VisitScotland attraction, with a 5* rating on TripAdvisor.
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