John o’ Groats, Scotland
Creating Scotland’s most northerly mainland whisky distillery was a project we couldn’t refuse. Established in 2022, the distillery made history by producing the first single malt Scotch whisky in the area for over 180 years. The Distillery also make Seven Sons, a range of small batch and single cask blended bottlings, as well as the award winning Five Ways Liqueur. An innovative balance of heritage and interior architecture, using natural materials, was the way forward for this inviting distillery.
The £1 million project celebrates both place and provenance, connecting history, landscape, and craft in every detail.
The distillery’s façade boasts enormous windows – the largest being 2.7m by 2.8m. They glare over northern Scotland’s rugged landscape, bringing majestic views of the outside in. Boundless natural light pours through them too – showcasing the detailed interior and the prominent, elegant whisky stills.
The design draws from the rugged local environment and climate. Identity, colour palette, typography, and textures combine to evoke the isolation and raw beauty at the very edge of the Scottish mainland. Inside the distillery, we elevated the tasting room to offer a breathtaking view across the Pentland Firth. The panoramic views of the new whisky lounge stare out towards the sea – a serene space for relaxation and for enjoying a dram.
Contemporary, stylish and cosy, we made sure that we incorporated natural elements, such as a large log burner and lounge designed to maximise the views out towards the Atlantic Ocean. The result is a stylish, sustainable distillery that is at one with its unprecedented Scottish surroundings.
8 Doors Distillery | Whisky Distillery, Scotland
The name and brand take inspiration from the legend of Jan de Groot, the Dutchman for whom John O’Groats is named. De Groot, who ferried between the Scottish mainland and Orkney in the late 15th century, reportedly built an octagonal house with eight doors—one for himself and one for each of his seven sons—to resolve a family quarrel over succession.
This rich story allowed us to create a brand experience rooted in Scottish heritage yet expressed in a clean, modern way—authentic, distinctive, and entirely separate from traditional whisky imagery.
Working closely with founders Kerry and Derek Campbell, Freytag Anderson crafted the brand and visual identity, developing a whisky experience that feels premium yet accessible—harnessing the uniqueness of its location and expressing it in every detail, from concept interiors to bottle.
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