Have you ever heard of ‘OO’ or ‘Old Orkney’? Did you know that there used to be distilleries in Stromness and that whisky was not only produced in and around Kirkwall? No? Then let us take you back in time a little. We will take you to the places where distilleries are located today, but also to places where whisky was distilled and produced many decades ago.

During the trip, you will also learn about old grain varieties, their use and the long history of peat here in Orkney. Hobbister Moor on Orkney Mainland is not the only place where a lot of peat was once cut.

Possible starting points on this tour (*):

• One of the two oldest active whisky distilleries in Orkney: Highland Park or Scapa
  
  
• Hobbister Moor (where Highland Park mines its peat)
  
  
• The site of the Stromness Distillery
  
  
• The Stromness Museum with a micro-exhibition on the Stromness Distillery and the brands ‘OO’ and ‘Man of Hoy’
  
  
• The former site of the Kirkwall Distillery
  
  
• The former site of Wideford Distillery (where we think and justify that it really stood)

There are many factors that influence the flavour of a spirit, especially a whisky. One of these is the still. We have many different types here in Orkney and on this tour you will learn about many of them. We will explain how the material and the shapes affect the distillates both on site and en route.

Possible starting points on this tour (*):

• Scapa Distillery (Lomond Still & Classic Potstill)
  
  
• Highland Park Distillery (Classic Pot Still)
  
  
• J. Gow Rum Distillery (i-Still)
  
  
• Kirkjuvagr or Deerness Distillery (Alambic Stills)

Bere Barley is the original Scottish barley. It has been grown, harvested and used for food up here in the north for thousands of years. We will take you to Scapa Distillery, Barony Mill and Swannay Brewery. They all share a common bond with the Bare Barley.

Possible starting points on this tour (*):

• Scapa Distillery
  
  
• Barony Mill
  
  
• Honesty Box of J.P. Orkney (Small food producer with great things)
  
  
• Swannay Brewery

Akvavit, gin, rum, vodka, whisky and liqueurs. Orkney produces a wide variety of spirits. Taste your way through the wide world of Orkney's spirits and perhaps discover a new favourite for yourself.

Possible starting points on this tour (*):

• Highland Park Distillery OR Scapa Distillery
  
  
• J. Gow Rum Distillery
  
  
• Kirkjuvagr Distillery OR Deerness Distillery OR Orkney Gin Company

This tour is all about fermentation. Discover our tasty beers, kombucha and vinegars. As we drive you at a relaxed pace, you can sample various beers and find your personal favourite.

Possible stops on this tour (*):

• The Golden Slipper Brewery (Kombucha, Vinegar & beyond)
  
  
• Orkney Brewery (Beer) or the shop in Kirkwall
  
  
• Barony Mill (Bere Barley Grain Mill)
  
  
• Swannay Brewery (Beer)

Are you interested in more than just the liquid life in Orkney? No problem, we can show you much more and taste it on site or on the road. Orkney produces so many high quality delicacies and we can take you directly to the producers.

ATTENTION: The stops listed below cannot be visited every day. Not all food producers are open at weekends or every day of the week. How many of them we visit depends on your time and the opening hours of the producers.

Possible starting points or contents on this tour (*):

• The Golden Slipper Brewery (Kombucha, Vinegar & beyond)
  
  
• Lochside Roasters (Coffee)
  
  
• Barony Mill (Barley Products)
  
  
• Orkney Dairy (Dairy Products)
  
  
• Argos Bakery (Bakery & Fudge Production)
  
  
• Williamsons (Butcher)
  
  
• Stockan's Oatcakes (Savoury Oatcakes)

Do you have other ideas or would you like to visit other points of interest in Orkney? No problem. Just tell us what else you would like to include in your itinerary.