FIRST JOURNEYS - THE HIGHLANDS TRAIL- PIN 03 OF 22
ISLAY GIN, Scotland
A JOURNEY EXPLORING THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Our next stop takes us west to the Hebridean Isle of Islay, a place renowned for its world-famous peated whiskies and dramatic coastal landscapes. While many gin lovers will immediately think of The Botanist, produced at Bruichladdich Distillery, the island is also home to another distillery celebrating Islay's unique character.
Nestled in the tiny hamlet of Nerabus, surrounded by wild heather and roaming deer, Islay Gin is a family-owned micro-distillery producing its beautifully handcrafted Nerabus Gin. Named after the place it calls home, the gin reflects the island's rugged landscape, combining 100% Islay water infused with locally gathered wild heather to create a delicate spirit that captures the essence of the island.
Behind the distillery are husband-and-wife team Dr John Gow, a former biomedical and forensic scientist, and Dr Audrey Gow, whose career in the Scotch whisky industry gave her extensive experience in exports and customer care. Together, they founded Islay Gin to create a spirit that celebrates the island they call home.
For the perfect serve, I'd recommend pairing Nerabus with an aromatic or Mediterranean tonic and a slice of lime. On this occasion, however, I've chosen something a little different: a Bee's Knees, made with Scottish heather honey to complement the gin's gentle floral notes.
And now for my favourite part of every journey... the local folklore.
Just outside Port Charlotte, hidden away in a quiet glen, lies the curious Toothache Stone—a large boulder said to resemble a molar tooth. According to local tradition, anyone suffering from toothache would visit the stone armed with a hammer and a pocketful of nails, driving them into the rock in the hope that the pain would disappear.
Whether the cure came from ancient belief or simply the distraction of a bruised thumb is anyone's guess. Today, the stone remains embedded with hundreds of iron and copper nails, a fascinating reminder of the island's folklore and the traditions that once shaped everyday life.
It's discoveries like these that make every stop on the Gin Passport so rewarding. Sometimes the story behind the bottle is every bit as memorable as the gin itself.