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Back To Life

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The team gathered under blue skies on Tuesday before opening the doors.

Spring has well and truly sprung, the skies have been blue for days, and the rare trees of our island are budding as more flowers begin to bloom. And, we're feeling the sap rising here at the distillery too.

The week began with the heavenly smell of home-baking as the countertop of our new distillery café quickly filled up with warm Hebridean scones, chocolate brownies, and delicious cream cakes.

The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans from Outer Hebridean roasters SkyDancer added to the olfactory atmosphere, luring more visitors to the former canteen space to try our wares.

Emma, Irene, and Sarah keep the coffee flowing and their café counter well stocked.

We've decorated the café walls with some wonderful artwork from our storyteller and in-house designer, Lauren MacSween, aka The Herring Girl. You can check out and order her work here.

On Tuesday, many of our team in Tarbert gathered around the distillery fire for our first in-person 'Parliament' in a long time. Thanks to Covid, this weekly staff gathering has been done online for the last two years. 

On Wednesday, we kept our doors open later than usual as we welcomed the incredible singers from local group Sian to our fireside for an evening of Gaelic songs for an appreciative audience.

The singers of Sian performed live at the distillery on Wednesday night.

Sian had previously performed online at one of our virtual cèilidhs, but it was a real treat to see them live finally, and the acoustics of our public space proved to be absolutely right on the night.

Thursdays, like all weekdays, were busy with visitors stocking up on Isle of Harris Gin in the Shop and getting behind the scenes taking tours with our guides, Sandra, Marie, Leona, and Harry.

Unfortunately, our plans to introduce an online booking system haven't come to fruition this year, but we're always happy to make arrangements the old fashioned way by phone on 01859 502212.

The week comes to a close as distiller Billy Fraser cleans one of the copper stills.

Friday reminded us that the world was opening up once more, and we were delighted to welcome our Swedish friend Hakan Ydner back to the distillery after a covid-caused hiatus.

Hakan is part of the team behind the excellent Whiskybase website and has been helping to champion distilleries from the Hebrides, so it was lovely to catch up with him and his wife on their travels.

Today the distillery is winding down for the weekend, and the stills are silent as we bring production to a close before our regular day of rest on Sunday.

There is so much to look forward to this year, and after the challenges of Covid over the last 24 months we remain confident and with clear vision as we enjoy getting back to life in earnest.

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