A toast to Skye

Inspired by its stunning surroundings, the renowned Skye restaurant, the Three Chimneys, has created its own signature gin.

Collaborating with North Point Distillery, the team turned to the landscape around its location at Colbost beside Loch Dunvegan to create a spirit to compliment the Three Chimney’s reputation for fine food and exclusive retreats.

It is no surprise then that the Old Tom style gin’s hero botanicals are island stalwarts: hand-picked wild gorse, Douglas fir needles and kelp. Each of them adds its own characteristic – the gorse gives soft coconut sweetness, the fir brings resinous brightness, while the kelp adds subtle salinity. The addition of Scottish ale malted barley gives the gin depth and richness.

It is built on a traditional base of juniper, angelica root, coriander, and orris which is enriched with cassia, pink peppercorn, orange, and chamomile, providing warm, spicy and aromatic notes. Fresh orange and grapefruit peel add vibrant citrus clarity.

The traditional smooth sweet Old Tom character comes from a final infusion of honey and marmalade.

Distilled and bottled in small batches of 240 bottles, the classic Old Tom is made on an 200L electric still called Audrey at the Caithness distillery.

The label on the bevelled glass bottle by Croxsons, features an original watercolour “Sunshine and showers – Loch Dunvegan” by Skye-based artist Peter McDermot.

Founded in 2020 by Canadian-born Alex MacDonald and North Coast native Struan Mackie, North Point Distillery is housed in a former US Navy building from the Cold War era at Forss, near Thurso. It prides itself on creating small batches of premium, authentically Scottish spirits, while focussing on sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment.

Since opening as a restaurant in 1985, The Three Chimneys has been a trailblazer on Skye, inspiring visitors to travel from all over the world to satisfy their appetite for the island’s fresh, local produce. The House Over-By with its six guest rooms allows visitors to stay and drink in the outstanding beauty of Loch Dunvegan and the dramatic backdrop of the Duirinish peninsula.

As well as being served at the multi award-winning restaurant and rooms, the gin will be served at The Three Chimneys at Talisker, the stand-alone waterfront venue at Skye’s oldest distillery on the shores of Loch Harport. 

To celebrate the launch of the gin, Kieran Walker, general manager at The Three Chimneys, adds:  “We’ve also used our new gin to create an exclusive Marmalade Martini cocktail for our guests.” 

The Three Chimneys Marmalade Martini recipe

Ingredients 
50ml Three Chimneys Gin
15ml Bramley & Gage Dry Vermouth 
10ml Atlantic Distillery Triple Sec 
2 dashes Atlantic Distillery Orange Bitters
1 Barspoon Three Chimneys Marmalade 

Method 
Shake all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker 
Fine strain into a Nick & Nora glass 
Garnish with orange zest.