OUR STORY

Here's the background to Isle of Skye Distillers

The Founders - The Wilson Brothers

Thomas and Alistair Wilson were raised on Skye, a place they are both passionate and enthusiastic about promoting to a wider audience. It was over three years ago that the Wilson brothers hatched plans to give up their ‘day job’s and dreamed of creating the first gin distillery on the Isle of Skye. After securing planning permission to purpose build the distillery and thus fulfilling their dream, the hard work really began. The Wilson brothers set out and created something unique!

Alistair, the youngest brother has a background in the hospitality industry and has been a manager in various bars and restaurants across Glasgow. So, he is very used to customer and taste expectations. Thomas, the older and ‘wiser brother’ (well that’s his saying!) has been a local builder and has worked for the Highland and Islands Council, served in the Parachute Regiment and is still very active as a retained fireman in the local rural area. A great combination of customer and organisational skills!

Misty Isle Gin - Where it all Started

In creating Misty Isle gin, the Wilsons took inspiration from the local landscape, the Old man of Storr, and the Cuillin mountain range in particular. With lots of dedication, burning the midnight oil, weeks foraging local juniper berries -often in the rain- they finally launched Misty Isle gin in early February 2017, to great applause.

All of the gins are made locally in Portree using the crystal clear spring waters from the Storr Lochs just over a few miles or so from the distillery. Initially launched as Isle of Skye gin, the Isle of Skye Distillery is able to boast the first stills producing gin on Skye.

Provenance is Everything

Proud of our unique bottle, label and branding designs, the bottle shape represents the elements on the Isle of Skye, our mountainous landscape and turbulent seas. The label design is an accurate representation of the Cuillin Mountains and has multiple finishes including a copper foiling that is a nod to our copper gin stills.

Did you know that each bottle of Misty Isle gin is unique and different? When our bottle is made, the process of creating our twisted top means it picks up a slightly different shape and imperfection when the glass cools.

With four gin stills producing, supply and demand is met always. The Isle of Skye Distillers is 100% independent and is entirely funded by the Wilson Brothers. The distillery is not open to the public but has a beautiful shop in the village along with their amazing gin school.