Husband and wife Iain and Laura Irvine decided they would love to relocate to the Isle of Lewis when the time was right. Although both were originally from the Scottish mainland, Iain’s family were from the Isle of Lewis, and as time went on, Iain and Laura both felt the draw of island life. Iain and Laura had spent many holidays visiting the island, creating memories, and spending time with friends and family. In 2019, the couple were married at Lews Castle in Stornaway, the capital of the Isle of Lewis, which reinforced their love and connection to the island. The couple finally embraced the opportunity to leave the mainland and relocate to the Isle of Lewis in 2021.
With an interest in home brewing and spirits, Iain and Laura had toyed with establishing an Isle of Lewis Gin. They knew that, realistically, the resources needed to establish a distillery on the island would have to wait. However, they knew the island had a rich and diverse range of fauna that would provide the perfect inspiration for a new Scottish Gin expression that encapsulated the island. They started taking photos of the Machair, a natural wonder of many of the Western Isles, where a mix of wildflowers and plants take root on the low-lying coasts and dunes, providing a habitat for the local fauna.
Iain and Laura explored and cross-referenced each plant they photographed to understand its potential properties as a gin botanical. The couple were conscientious about the sensitivity and sustainability of the Machair, eventually opting to include some of the botanicals that are found in the Machair but could be sourced from a botanical merchant. The couple had an idea for a flavour profile and developed several test recipes before deciding on the final flavour profile.
The couple eventually spoke with the team at Lost Loch Distillery in Aberdeenshire, who helped them with the final distillation process, which included fresh spring water sourced from beside the couple’s home, which was shipped to the mainland for use in the distillation. The long-term goal for Iain and Laura was to move all gin production back to the island and open a distillery, a goal the couple made happen in April 2025 when they opened their island-based distillery.
Iain and Laura are proud to be behind the first Scottish Gin from the Isle of Lewis and were delighted by the response and support from across the island. The couple plan to release several new Isle of Lewis Gin expressions and a range of other spirits influenced by the island they call home.
Isle of Lewis Gin Leòdhas is the signature Scottish Gin from the Isle of Lewis Gin and features a range of gin botanicals that can found in the local landscape of Uig, the the south-west periphery of the island. Botanicals include wild mint, wild thyme and heather along with a number of classic gin botanicals including juniper. Fresh spring water from Carloway, a nearby traditional crofting township is also used in the distillation.
On the nose clean, crisp notes of pine, mint and florals.
On the palate juniper up front with citrus and mint moves through citrus and floral notes.
On the finish some subtle florals are balanced with citrus balanced with an earthy note and some spice.
The Gin Cooperative Awards for Isle of Lewis Gin include:
• Silver - Community Judges Award 2024
• Highly Commended - New Scottish Gin Award 2024
Key Botanical(s): Heather, Wild Mint, Wild Thyme
Gin Style: London Dry Scottish Gin
Strength: 42% ABV
Goes great with: A slice of lemon, thyme, ice and tonic.
Isle of Lewis Gin Distillery is located in the small community of Uig, on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, with the name Uig derived from the Norse word Vik meaning ‘a bay’. The distillery houses a 100 litre engineered copper pot Brit Mini 100 still created by Britstill. All distillation, production and bottling takes place at the Isle of Lewis Gin Distillery with long-term plans to expand the distillery and create further employment for the island.
Please note the Isle of Lewis Gin Distillery is currently not open to the public, unless advertised otherwise.
Tour: No
Gin School: No
Cafe: No
Bar: No
Shop: No
Learn more about Isle of Lewis Gin by visiting the links below.
