G is for both Gin and Golf in Scotland. If you thought whisky in Scotland was the only alcoholic beverage worth exploring then you are missing out on the over 90 fabulous gin distilleries in Scotland! Likewise, Golf in Scotland is the reason many visitors stay with us.

Gin in Scotland

Scotland now produces more than 70% of all the gin in the UK and three of the world’s best selling gins, Hendrick’s, Gordon’s and Tanqueray, are made here. Scotland is at the forefront of the current ‘gin boom’ is well and truly on the map for Gin as well as whisky. Indeed Scotland’s relationship started in the 1700s and has gone full circle as gin sales thrived until the 1950s when vodka took over. Edinburgh went from having the most gin stills to having no stills. Fast forward to the 1980s and it all began to change again.

Our location here at Blervie House in the middle of Malt Whisky Country means that the local expertise in production and blending of these spirits is second to none and it is not surprising that this small area of Scotland is also producing some world-class Gins.

Just two of my favourites include Gordon Castle from the Castle of the same name at Fochabers and even closer to home Red Door produced by Benromach part of Gordon & MacPhail with over 120 years of creating spirits. In nearby Elgin, we also have the Avva distillery which is the only Gin made in a Scottish produced still.

Take a Gin Tour and you will be surprised at how much you learn, the expertise and enthusiasm are so encouraging you might have to linger longer to sample some. The interesting and varied use of different botanicals makes for a flavoursome tour. Living in this part of the world it is easy to absorb some of the different ways of serving a first-rate gin and tonic.

And at the base of beautiful Ben Rinnes, you will find Eightlands Distillery producing both gin and vodka so named after the view. Take the option to climb to the top of Ben Rinnes on a clear day and you can look down from Moray’s most famous Corbett to see eight counties – Aberdeenshire, Banff, Moray, Nairn, Inverness-shire, Ross & Cromarty, Sutherland, and Caithness.

Scottish Heather and hills — Views from Ben Rinnes

Just let me know if you would like to try some I am happy to taste with you! Or if all else fails try our Gin and Tonic Cheesecake.

Golf in Scotland

St Andrews Golf course tends not to need an introduction for many visitors and indeed, for many, no trip to Scotland would be complete without teeing off on one of our 560 or so golf courses. Scotland is well known as the home of Golf and boasts an exceptional number of world-class golf courses.

Even within a short drive of Blervie House, we have 5 of the Top 30 courses within easy reach. The Moray Coastline offers miles of rugged coastline delivering some wonderful links courses, including two designed by old Tom Morris.

So nearby you will find two fabulous Old and New Courses at Moray Golf Club. Going westwards you have the excellent Open Courses of both Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch. Right on the Moray Firth, you will find the links course at Nairn Golf Club,

Closer to home we have our own Forres Golf Club delivering a parkland course with dramatic mountain scenery and the very special Hopeman Golf Club, very popular with Blervie House guests.

With so many hidden gems combined with our mild climate and long sunshine hours, you are assured of some truly excellent golf as during the Summer you can easily play from early morning to late in the evening.