Isle of Tiree Distillery has launched its inaugural whisky, the first legal single malt whisky produced on the Hebridean island in more than two centuries. 

Founded in 2012 by trad folk musicians, Alain Campbell and Ian Smith, Tiree Whisky Company aims to preserve and promote the island’s whisky heritage, while reviving distilling.

Once known as Tìr an Eòrna, which translates from Gaelic to the ‘Land of Barley’, Tiree was home to no fewer than fifty illicit distilleries before the 1800s.

However, unlike other islands, Tiree never re-established a distillery until 2019 when Campbell and Smith lit the stills of one of Scotland’s smallest whisky distilleries for the first time. 

Mr Smith said: “This is an important moment in the island’s history as we reconnect with an industry that was once such an important part of island life.

“As well as providing local employment, we hope that our distillery will encourage visitors from all over the world to come to our home on Tiree.”

Mr Campbell added:”The distilling heritage of our island has inspired us since we were kids and we are immensely proud to bring whisky back to Tiree.

“We have strived to keep our production methods true to our ancestors – we use most traditional methods along with grain, water, fire and gravity – that’s all we need.”

The first 10 bottles will be reserved and sold at auction from the 31 January with 10% of profits donated to island charities.