Plans for an Orkney craft distillery – the first in the islands – have been revealed by the local couple behind the project.
Stephen and Aly Kemp from Kirkwall – trading under the name of Orkney Distilling Limited – are seeking planning permission to build an artisan distillery, visitor centre and shop.
If approved, the distillery will produce the Kemps’ own variety of gin – Kirkjuvagr – which has been in development over the past few months.
Production of Kirkjuvagr Gin will initially be carried out on mainland Scotland using the same artisan process Orkney Distilling will employ when production moves to Orkney, upon completion of the Kirkwall distillery.
“This is an exciting new venture for Aly and myself,” said Stephen Kemp. “As gin lovers, we’ve long wondered what it would be like to create a distinctly Orcadian variety, one that could proudly represent the islands in what is a highly competitive, but rapidly expanding and exciting, marketplace.”
Following approval, work on the distillery will start in the autumn of this year, with an official opening likely in April 2017.
