At Dunnet Bay Distillers, we believe every bottle tells a story — one of place, passion, and purpose.
Located in the remote and rugged village of Dunnet on Scotland’s north coast, our
distillery was founded in 2014 by Martin and Claire Murray. United by a shared
dream and love for the Highlands, they set out to create world-class spirits that
reflect the wild beauty of Caithness.
A Journey Rooted in Home…
Our story started back in our university days, where many late-night chats revolved around one shared dream — coming home to the north of Scotland to build something of our own.
With Martin’s knack for chemical and process engineering and Claire’s background in hospitality and tourism, we saw a perfect opportunity to combine our talents. More than anything, we wanted to put down roots, celebrate our heritage, and give something back to the community we love.
Crafting Exceptional Spirits
At the heart of our distillery are two bespoke copper pot stills, affectionately named ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Margaret.’ ‘Elizabeth,’ operational since 2014, pays homage to HRH Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, once a frequent visitor to Caithness. ‘Margaret’ honours Claire’s mother, our dedicated Production Supervisor, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in our journey.
Our spirits, including the award-winning Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka, are handcrafted using a meticulous process. We employ a 500-litre small-batch method, ensuring each bottle is hand-filled, wax-sealed, batch- numbered, and signed, reflecting our commitment to quality and authenticity.
Sustainability is woven into the fabric of our operations.
In 2021, we appointed an Environmental Manager to spearhead initiatives aimed at reducing our carbon footprint.
Innovations like our recyclable refill pouches and collaborations to upcycle our iconic ceramic bottles into soap dispensers exemplify our dedication to environmental stewardship.
Meet The Team Behind the Spirit
Our success is a collective achievement, thanks to our incredible team. From our Production Wizards, who ensure each bottle meets our exacting standards, to our Distillers ,who distil unique botanicals like the electric daisy in our geodome; to our Visitor Welcome Team, who treat everyone like a VIP; every member plays a vital role.
Even our distillery dog, Mr. Mackintosh, contributes by hoovering our teabreak crumbs and starring in our family tour packs.
George
2002 – 2016
George was with us from day one — by our side during those first garage experiments, keeping watch as the distillery took shape, and proudly sharing in every milestone. After the school drop off he would come to work and once he had done his morning tour to say ‘hello’ to everyone he’d settle down to snore (loudly) in his basket.
Sadly the time came when we had to say goodbye but his memory lives on in our gin and vodka and his lovely photo looks down on us as we distil.
Looking Ahead
As we continue to grow, our commitment to our community and heritage remains steadfast…
Castletown Mill
As we continue to grow, our commitment to our community and heritage remains steadfast. The upcoming transformation of the historic 19th-century Castletown Mill into a whisky distillery, backed by a £2 million investment, symbolises our dedication to preserving local history and expanding our craft.
We invite you to join us on this journey—whether by visiting our distillery, savouring our spirits, or simply sharing in our story.
Stories from The Still
Beautiful Botanicals – Plum
Beautiful Botanicals: Plum – An orchard in late summer has a way of holding on to the sun. Among the leaves, plums hang like small lanterns: blue-black, ruby-red or warm…
