Distilleries, tastings & local fare

Orkney Food & Drink Tour: A Taste of the Islands

A leisurely guided minibus day sampling Orkney’s tearooms, mills and distilleries with local guide Jean Ross.

In short

This leisurely guided minibus tour samples Orkney’s food and drink, including a local tearoom, traditional Bere bannocks, the historic Barony Mill, the Merkister Hotel, and gin and whisky at Deerness Distillery. Orkney is also home to Highland Park and Scapa whisky distilleries, two breweries, the Orkney Wine Company and several gin makers.

Jean Ross, Green Badge tourist guide, Great Orkney Tours

I’m Jean, your Orkney tour guide

I do the driving, so you can relax and taste your way around the island, and I know the makers worth stopping for.

What’s on the food and drink tour?

  1. Start with a drive to a charming local tearoom for freshly baked treats and a choice of tea or coffee, included in the tour price. Try Orkney’s Bere Bannock, Bere Shortbread, and biscuits with local cheese.
  2. Visit the historic Barony Mill and watch the waterwheel power the millstones that grind the ancient Beremeal flour, just as they have for generations.
  3. Unwind at the welcoming Merkister Hotel with gorgeous food and a choice of local drinks.
  4. In the afternoon, discover gin and whisky making at Deerness Distillery, and perhaps sample a tipple or two.

What can you taste in Orkney?

Orkney punches well above its weight for food and drink. Two whisky distilleries, two breweries, the long-established Orkney Wine Company and three gin distilleries, each making a lovely and very different gin. If you fancy a taste of what Orkney makes, this is the tour for you.

  • Highland Park whisky
  • Scapa whisky
  • Orkney Brewery
  • Swannay Brewery
  • Orkney Wine Company
  • Pirate Gow spiced rum
  • Three Orkney gins
The Barony Mill at Birsay
Kirbister Museum

Can the tour be tailored to what I’d like to taste?

Tell me whether you lean more towards food, whisky, gin or a bit of everything, and I’ll shape the day to suit.

Frequently asked questions

A full day is around 8 hours, usually 9am to 5pm, and the start and finish times are flexible. It is a leisurely day by design, with time to enjoy each stop rather than rushing between them. If you are off a cruise ship I will work to your all-aboard time.

Morning tea or coffee and homebakes at the tearoom are included in the tour price, along with the guiding and the transport. Lunch, drinks and distillery tastings later in the day are paid for as you go, so you are free to choose what you would like rather than paying for a set menu.

That’s the beauty of it. I do the driving, so you’re free to enjoy a tasting or two. Up to 8 passengers, private or small group.

Savour the flavours of Orkney

Lean towards food, whisky, gin or a bit of everything. Tell me and I’ll shape a leisurely day to suit. And I do the driving, so you’re free to enjoy a tasting or two. Up to 8 passengers, private or small group.

Book Your Tour

Your guide: Jean Ross, Green Badge Tourist Guide since 2008, born and brought up in Orkney.