The Orkney Distillery, Kirkwall: The Islands’ Third

Overview

The Orkney Distillery, on the harbour at Kirkwall, is Orkney’s third distillery, after the famous Highland Park and Scapa. It made its name with Kirkjuvagr gin, and began distilling its own single malt whisky in 2024, now quietly maturing on the islands.

The history

Founded by Stephen and Aly Kemp, the distillery opened as a gin operation in 2016 and expanded into whisky distillation in March 2024, giving Orkney a modern, visitor-focused distillery right in the heart of Kirkwall to complement its two historic giants.

The water & the land

The distillery’s named whisky water source is not yet publicly published; its gins draw on Orkney botanicals and local water.

Like Highland Park and Scapa, the Orkney Distillery has no clan link — Orkney was never Highland clan country. These are the Norse islands, ruled for centuries under Udal law by the jarls and later the Sinclair Earls of Orkney, and only Scottish since 1468.

Visiting

The Orkney Distillery has a visitor centre with a café and bar on Kirkwall harbour and runs tours and tastings daily, year-round — check the website. It’s an easy, central stop alongside St Magnus Cathedral and the Kirkwall shops.

Nearby & more whisky

• Orkney’s famous malt: Highland Park
• Orkney’s second distillery: Scapa
• The whole picture: Scotch whisky — the full guide

Sources

• Orkney Distilling Ltd; The Scotsman / The Whiskey Wash (2024 whisky production).