8 Doors Distillery at John O’Groats is the most northerly distillery on the UK mainland, and it’s a must-visit on your list while staying at Celtic Lodges.
John O’Groats was named after the Dutchman Jan de Groot, who operated the ferry between the mainland and Orkney. For passage between them he charged a groat (nowadays this would be 2 pence). Jan de Groot had seven sons who were all fighting for the power in this large family, and to remind his sons that they were all equal, Jan de Groot built an eight sided house with separate entrances, which then led to a communal room where they could gather at an octagonal table. This is the story from where 8 Doors Distillery gets its name!
The distillery opened in 2022 and their first whisky cask was filled in September of the same year. While he was taking his yearly stay at the Castle of Mey in August 2023, HRH King Charles III officially opened 8 Doors Distillery and filled a cask in the warehouse, which once matured, will be bottled to raise money for charity.
Whilst the 8 Doors single malt whisky is maturing, the Seven Sons range of small batch and single cask bottlings have been released, along with their Five Ways Whisky Liqueur. This has won a collection of awards including ‘Best Artisan Product’ at the 2024 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
The Distillery is right at the heart of John O’Groats, overlooking the neighbouring businesses, and of course the infamous sign post which marks the start/end point of Lands End to John O’Groats (LEJOG) route. The distillery has a welcoming whisky lounge where you can enjoy views out across John O’Groats, and feel the warmth of a roaring fire in the winter. Their whisky lounge serves hot drinks, snacks, cakes and of course cocktails and whisky flights! You can also peruse the shop with a collection of clothing, homeware, and even fill your own bottle of Seven Sons or Five Ways. The distillery is open daily between 10:00am – 6:00pm.
8 Doors Distillery offers three tour and tasting options on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the summer season (Tours are seasonal and run from April to September):
- Wee Taster (30 mins, £10) – Perfect if you know nothing about whisky, or are short on time. You’ll taste three samples of Sevens Sons whisky and Five Ways liqueur, and learn how to identify tasting notes.
- Tales and Tipples (45 mins, £12) – Settle in for some stories about local myths and distillery history with the 8 Doors team, whilst sipping your choice of a cocktail, whisky samples or a hot drink.
- Behind the Scenes (60 mins, £15) – To gain an insight into whisky production, you’ll be taken into the heart of the distillery to see all of the stages including the warehouse where their whisky is maturing.
Tours should be booked in advance via the 8 Doors Distillery website. Book a Distillery Tour
During autumn and winter when tours don’t operate, you can still get a taste of their whisky flights in the whisky lounge.
While you’re in the area, here are some more ideas for things to do:
- There are plenty of places to eat and drink in John O’Groats, offering eat-in and takeaway options: Cafe Groats, Taste, The Cabin, The Seaview Hotel and the John O’Groats Brewery are all in John O’Groats, whilst Mr Eddy’s Pit Stop at Gills Bay and Annie’s Bakery in Canisbay are just a short drive away.
- Visit John O’Groats Mill which is newly reopened this year, is one of Scotland’s last working watermills. With audio and interactive displays and mill machinery demonstrations, it’s well worth going to explore. It’s a short walk west from John O’Groats along the coastal path, or a short drive away.
- Follow the coastal path east to find some secluded beaches. Search for Groatie Buckies (cowrie shells) which are said to bring good luck to the finder!
- You can also follow the coastline all the way to Duncansby Head Lighthouse and Duncansby Stacks. This area is a popular spot for wildlife watching – the cliffs are home to nesting seabirds in spring and summer, and cetacean sightings of whales and dolphins are not uncommon! Walk down the hill and southbound along the coast to get some amazing views of the Duncansby Stacks. Good footwear is a must for this walk as it can be muddy underfoot.
- You can search for the gravestone of Jan de Groot in the nearby Canisbay Churchyard.
- Why not create your own Caithness Spirits trail and visit the other distilleries along the NC500 – Wolfburn Distillery, North Point Distillery, Dunnet Bay Distillery and Old Pulteney Distillery.
