Scottish gins with Heather
Heather flower delivers a honeyed floral note unmistakably Scottish. Often paired with bog myrtle, sea pinks, or Scots pine in Highland and Island gins.
6 gins · listed A–Z
Avva Scottish Gin
A small-batch Aberdeenshire gin that uses silver birch sap from the local woodland as one of its key botanicals. The birch gives a subtle, slightly sweet woody character that's different from the maritime or heather notes you find in most Scottish gins. Produced by a husband-and-wife team, which keeps the batches small and the quality consistent. Available from specialist retailers in the north-east and online.
Caorunn
Made at Balmenach whisky distillery on Speyside, Caorunn (pronounced "ka-roon") uses five Celtic botanicals on top of the classic six. Vapour-infused in a unique copper berry chamber, with a clear apple note that sets it apart.
Edinburgh Gin
Edinburgh Gin Classic is the workhorse — a soft, juniper-light contemporary gin made in central Edinburgh. The brand's flavoured variants (Seaside, Rhubarb & Ginger, Raspberry) get more shelf space and probably more sales than the Classic, for better and worse.
Eilean Mòr Gin
From Beinn an Tuirc Distillers on the Kintyre peninsula — the first gin distillery in Kintyre and powered entirely by renewable energy from their own hydroelectric and solar installations. The distillery's sustainability credentials are genuine: carbon-negative production, local botanical foraging, and a commitment to minimal waste. The gin itself is gentle and floral — a good representation of the Kintyre landscape. Available from the distillery, Campbeltown shops (combine with a Springbank visit), and online.
Kinrara Gin
Produced on the Kinrara estate in the Cairngorms National Park. What makes Kinrara distinctive is the use of wild Cairngorms juniper — a different, more intense variety than the imported juniper most Scottish distillers use. The estate setting means the botanicals genuinely come from the surrounding hills and woodland, not from a supplier catalogue. Small production runs and a strong visitor following among Cairngorms tourists. Available at the distillery, Highland specialist shops, and online.
Misty Isle Gin
Made on Skye by Isle of Skye Distillers, with honey from the distillery’s own bees as a signature botanical. A young brand that punches above its weight on character — gentler and sweeter than the heavy-juniper Skye whisky next door at Talisker.