ORKNEY, SCOTLAND – August 7, 2024 – Scapa Distillery, a historic Orkney single malt whisky producer, is actively transforming into a destination experience, bolstering tourism to the remote island and securing its future amidst logistical challenges. Recent investments include a new tasting room, ‘The Scapa Noust,’ and curated hiking trails, ‘Scapa Sanctuary Trails,’ launched in partnership with Outdooractive.
Located on the island of Orkney, Scapa Distillery boasts a history stretching back to 1885, making it one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries.The distillery’s remote location presents unique operational hurdles. Supply chain vulnerabilities are mitigated by maintaining a 10-day buffer of malted barley to account for potential ferry cancellations due to orkney’s often-inclement weather. Ferries operated by NorthLink Ferries are the primary link to the mainland.
The distillery is run by a dedicated team of just five individuals working around the clock. Accommodation is provided on-site for external staff, a necessity given the limited housing options on the island. Scapa is owned by Chivas Brothers, part of Pernod Ricard.
Maintaining the distillery’s traditional methods adds another layer of complexity. A key piece of equipment, a 1970s-era red Porteous mill, requires specialized maintenance. Only two individuals in Scotland – Ronnie Lee and his son – possess the expertise to repair it, necessitating proactive planning and preventative maintenance to avoid production disruptions. The mill is crucial to the initial stages of whisky production, grinding the malted barley into ‘grist’.
The Scapa Distillery Destination
Table of Contents
Following a rebrand in 2023, Scapa distillery is actively cultivating a visitor experience. The newly opened ‘Scapa noust’ tasting room, named after traditional Orkney boat shelters, offers exclusive whisky tastings paired with Asian-inspired cuisine, overlooking Scapa Flow, a natural harbour historically significant in both World Wars.
The ‘Scapa Sanctuary trails,’ developed with Outdooractive,showcase local Orcadian craftsmanship and the island’s natural beauty. these trails range in length and difficulty, incorporating Orkney’s history and Scapa Distillery’s role within it. The trails are accessible via the Outdooractive app,available on both iOS and Android platforms.The longest trail, the ‘Coastal Heritage Loop,’ spans approximately 15 kilometers.
Scapa’s transformation aims to attract a wider audience, capitalizing on the growing interest in single malt whisky and immersive travel experiences. The distillery’s age-statemented whiskies, including the Scapa 14 Year Old and Scapa 16 Year Old, are central to this strategy. The distillery currently produces approximately 2.5 million litres of pure alcohol annually.
