Day 4 – Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Barra has a distillery and I visited on a Sunday. As per the photo, the shop sells all their products and has information on the distilling process.

Isle of Barra Distillers is a family-owned spirits company based in Castlebay, founded in 2017. It’s best known for its award-winning Barra Atlantic Gin, infused with local seaweed, harvested sustainably on the island. The company also produces vodka, rum, and a rhubarb and heather gin liqueur.

A new £12 million distillery is set to open in 2026, bringing whisky production to the island, though you have to remember it will be probably 10-12 years before the distillery will produce a malt whisky(if that’s the intention).

The distillery is located near the Co-op and Padula’s Barra Island store where I purchased a freshly made and very tasty cappucino flavoured with caramel.

When visiting Castlebay, if you enjoy cuisine from India, you must try Cafe Kisimul near the ferry terminal. This is authentic Punjabi cooking. Cafe Kisimul first opened its doors in 2004. There’s Hebridean produce, classic curries, Scottish beer from what appear to be independent brewers, and malt whiskies. For a dessert, you can drink ‘flights’ of three whiskies – generous amounts too – from the Highlands, Speyside, the islands, and Islay. The ‘islands’ whiskies comprise Arran, Talisker, and Tobermory from Mull.