FIRST JOURNEYS - THE HIGHLANDS TRAIL- PIN 04 OF 22
LUSSA GIN, Scotland
A JOURNEY EXPLORING THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Our next stop takes us across the Sound of Islay on a short ferry journey to the remote and rugged Isle of Jura.
Unlike its neighbouring island of Islay, known for its whisky distilleries and larger population, Jura is a place of wild landscapes, mountains, boglands and solitude. Home to only around 200 people, the island is famously outnumbered by its population of around 6,000 red deer that roam freely across its hills.
Jura is a place where nature sets the pace. There are few roads, few services and very little distraction—just dramatic scenery, a close-knit community and a landscape that has inspired those lucky enough to call it home.
Perhaps its most famous resident was author George Orwell, who described Jura as "extremely un-get-at-able".
Living at Barnhill between 1946 and 1948 while recovering from tuberculosis, Orwell completed his iconic novel 1984 in this remote corner of the island. Known locally by his real name, Eric Blair, his former home remains a fascinating piece of literary history, preserved with much of its original character.
Jura has also been the setting for one of music's most unusual stories. In 1994, members of the electronic band KLF returned to the island, where they had previously hosted a legendary midsummer rave, and staged one of the most infamous publicity stunts in music history—a bonfire where they allegedly burned £1 million in banknotes.
And this is where our gin story begins.
The connection between Jura's colourful past and Lussa Gin is more than coincidence. One of the distillers, Claire, was a music journalist at Radio 1 and travelled to Jura in 1991 to cover the KLF rave. It was during that trip she met her future husband, beginning a connection with the island that would eventually lead her, alongside Georgina and Alicia, to create a distillery of their own.
Founded in 2015 in the small community of Ardlussa, Lussa Gin is a true expression of Jura. The team grow and forage many of their own botanicals, using their knowledge of the island's landscape to create a gin that captures its wild character.
Floral, fresh and beautifully balanced, it feels like a bottle filled with the essence of Jura itself.
From writers and musicians to botanists and distillers, Jura has always attracted people inspired by its remoteness.
Lussa Gin is simply the latest chapter in a very unique island story.
For this story, there could only be one cocktail choice: the Burnt Martini.
A fitting nod to Jura's fiery history, this twist on a classic combines:
- 60ml Lussa Gin
- 20ml Vermouth
- 10ml Whisky
The result is a smooth, smoky and wonderfully moreish serve that brings together two of Scotland's greatest spirits in one glass.