A distillery based in Uist is moving to reduce its carbon footprint through the launch of a new environmentally conscious bottle.
North Uist Distillery, which currently produces gin but is in the process of creating whisky, has launched its new bottle with the view to encouraging reuse.
The design incorporates several nods to the company’s Hebridean heritage. It has also been designed to fit with the refill facilities at the distillery.
New bottle uses 38% less glass
Founded by Kate Macdonald and Jonny Ingledew, the new bottle will be used to hold the distillery’s Downpour gin.
The couple have worked with Italian glassmakers Vetroelite to produce the new bottle.
Design work has been carried out by Glasgow based Jamhot Design.
The new bottle uses 38% less glass than the original design, with a natural cork stopper with a wooden top.
Biodegradable ink has been used to allow for the bottle to be recycled alongside clear household glass.
Plans afloat to provide further local employment
Miss Macdonald described the launch as an exciting time for the distillery.
She said: “We wanted to create a new bespoke bottle which would enhance our brand while representing our Hebridean heritage and the Downpour Gin inside.
“Each bottle is distilled, bottled and labelled on the island to enable the business to have a long-term benefit for the community.
“We currently employ 10 people and will look to continue to add to our team in the future.
“This is an important development which will help us go some way to achieving one of our major goals which is to become more sustainable as a business.
“We believe we now have a bottle which more people will want to keep and one that will also encourage refills at our Nunton Steadings shop.”
Environment at forefront of distillery’s efforts
North Uist Distillery hope their latest efforts will assist in their ambition of becoming B Corp certified.
The latest move builds on their environmentally friendly conscience to avoid plastics, using only cardboard in their postal packaging.
There are also plans to launch a postal refill system later this year.
Miss Macdonald and Mr Ingledew took over the 18th century Nunton Steadings – where Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have sheltered – in 2020 with ambitious plans to turn it into a community hub and visitor centre.
The base attracted around 10,000 visitors over their first summer in situ in 2021.
Situated in Benbecula, alongside the beautiful Culla Bay beach, the steadings will bare further historic influence.
It will form the base for the first legal whisky distilled in the southern islands of the Outer Hebrides.
Praise for new design and distillery’s ethos
Outer Hebrides Tourism food and drink co-ordinator Julie Sloan added: “Jonny, Kate and the team at North Uist Distillery know how beautiful the islands are.
“They are making significant efforts to ensure developments in their business put sustainability as a priority.
“A new bottle using less materials and a gin refill station can only be a positive move for locals and visitors alike.
“Even though this new bottle can be fully recycled it is such a lovely design. I will personally be keeping it and refilling.”
