Category: Island
Distiller: James Grant & Co, (Highland Park) Kirkwall, Orkney
Owner: The Edrington Group, Glasgow 
| The world's most northerly whisky distillery was founded in 1798 by Magnus Eunson of Gallowhill, near the Parks of Rosebank, Kirkwall. Until it was licensed in 1825, it's production was illicit, and Eunson was assisted in evading the excisemen by a kinsman, who was a kirk elder and hid the contraband under the pulpit.
In 1888, James Grant, whose father was manager of The Glenlivet Distillery, became managing partner and later owner of Highland Park. The Grants relinquished control to Highland Distilleries in 1937. The distillery has its own floor maltings and peat beds, (the peat is cut shallow to impart a light, 'rooty' character) and two traditional peat-fired kilns. During kilning, a little heather is burned.
Extract form Charles Maclean`s SCOTCH WHISKY a Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide
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