On the Northern Highland and Orkney tour 2015 we reached the town Kirkwall on the “Mainland” which is the main island of Orkney. Highland Park is placed on the top of a hill at the south end of Kirkwall, very beautiful indeed. When you enter Highland Park Distillery it´s like to walk in to a medievally village there every building seems to be in perfect shape and every machine is well maintained.
Highland Park has a special place in a northerner’s heart. Not only because of the good whisky, but also because of its Scandinavian heritage. The Distillery was founded by the Viking descendant “Magnus Eunson” in 1798. Magnus was a churchwarden and there are a lot of good stories from ancient times about the church and whisky smuggling.
Since 2011 the founders of KWA have visited several whisky distilleries and met many a guide on different whisky tours. But on the 8th of April we’ve come across the best guide we ever had the pleasure to meet. Of course we´re referring to James at Highland Park who brought us along on the Connoisseur Tour and after that a tasting of four different whiskies: 12yo, 18yo, 21yo and the 25yo. With wisdom and humor James led our tour. So, thank you James and we surely hope other whisky lovers will enjoy the favor of meeting you!