Highland Park opens new store in central Kirkwall

In a first for the distillery, and indeed a first for owners Edrington, Highland Park has this morning, Wednesday, opened a new store in the heart of Kirkwall, in the former Gorn’s Menswear shop.

Jason Craig, global brand director, Highland Park, said that this is the first time that the distillery has opened an outlet in a town centre location.

Mr Craig describes the outlet as much more than just a shop — it is a place where visitors can gain a true Orkney experience, especially those people on short visits to the islands, such as the thousands of cruise ship passengers and other visitors who only spend short visits here throughout the summer months.

As well as a retail space offering merchandise and whiskies and a tasting room, the new experience includes a gallery featuring works from local creatives.

Having welcomed over half a million visitors to Orkney during her 20-year career with Highland Park Distillery, and a recent recipient of the industry’s prestigious Keepers of the Quaich accolade, Patricia Retson was enlisted to help officially open the store.

Mr Craig said that opening the store was a way of the distillery having a presence in the town centre, which can be a hive of activity, and gave his thanks to all the team involved for their hard work leading up to the opening of the outlet.

He said that they chose Wednesday, May 8, as the day to open the store, as it is International Viking Day, which is regarded as the date when our Viking ancestors would shed their winter clothes and prepare their ships for travel for the year ahead. Taking inspiration from Orkney’s Norse roots, Highland Park embarked on an adventure to open the new shop, he explained.

Patricia Retson, said: “It was an honour and a pleasure to open the new Highland Park store. I hope to see many more visitors discover Orkney and Highland Park’s exciting history.”

Mr Craig joined Ms Retson to mark the occasion with a reading of a traditional Viking poem.

Mr Craig, added: “We’re excited to open the doors to our new shop and share even more of our world with our visitors. It felt fitting, on a day believed to be about embarking on new adventures for our Nordic ancestors, that we’ve embarked on ours.”

“We could think of no better ambassador to open our new store than Patricia. She retired from her role as Senior VP and Education Host at the Highland Park Distillery in April, having helped us create a multi award-winning visitor experience. Patricia’s commitment to the industry and passion for our rich history makes her a true modern day Viking Soul.”

Orkney-based photographer and digital influencer Kendra Towns is the first to feature her collection of images inspired by the light on the islands.

Seven new members of staff have been employed, with an additional four members joining the team during the summer season.

Further details in the Orcadian on Thursday.