Isle of Harris unveils annual collectors’ edition gin
Outer Hebridean distillery Isle of Harris has taken inspiration from the wild coastal grasslands of the region’s islands for its annual limited edition gin bottle.
This year’s vessel from the annual Cèilidh Bottle series is glazed in a rich green colour, inspired by the wild coastal grasslands that bloom across the Outer Hebrides each summer.
There will be 900 bottles available to purchase on Thursday (18 June), with 400 released for general sale online across the UK. A further 500 are available exclusively from the distillery shop in Tarbert.
This year’s release marks the fourth in the Cèilidh Bottle series. Each edition captures a different colour and mood drawn from the palette of the island’s natural environment.
Ron MacEachran, executive chairman of Isle of Harris Distillery, said: “The series has become a meaningful tradition for us and for many people who now collect each release. Beyond the gin itself, these bottles celebrate craftsmanship, creativity and the connection between our spirits and the island landscape that continues to inspire them.”
Each year, the distillery team gathers to vote on their favourite colour, which then informs that year’s release.
The island machair – a rare grassland that flourishes along the island’s coastline during the summer months, transforming the dunes into a vibrant array of colour – has inspired this year’s glaze
MacEachran added: “The windswept plains of machair are a defining feature of our island’s landscape in summer. This year’s Cèilidh Bottle captures that unmistakable sense of place in a colour that immediately transports us to Harris at this time of year, as islanders and visitors gather among the dunes and beaches to enjoy the long summer days.”
Each 350ml ceramic bottle has been individually hand-thrown by potter Rupert Blamire. The process spans several months and results in subtle variations that make every bottle unique.
The bottle has been designed to be displayed, refilled and reused long after the gin has been enjoyed. To celebrate this year’s launch, the distillery is inviting its community to share the creative ways they have repurposed their previous gin bottles on Instagram. The distillery team will select their favourite submission to receive this year’s Cèilidh Bottle following the launch.
The recommended cocktail for this year’s release is the Kelp & Cucumber Collins. The serve is described as a bright and refreshing cocktail that complements the maritime character of Isle of Harris Gin while echoing the green tones of the bottle itself.
The cocktail highlights the distillery’s signature sugar kelp botanical, which is sustainably harvested from local sea lochs. The recipe is below.
The Machair Green Cèilidh Bottle will be available from 10am on Thursday 18 June for £53 (US$71).
Last week, it was revealed that the Isle of Harris Distillery has contributed £13.8 million (US$18.5m) to the local island economy
Kelp & Cucumber Collins
Kelp & Cucumber Collins- 50ml Isle of Harris Gin
- 25ml Lemon juice
- 15ml-20ml Simple syrup
- Top up with soda water
- Garnish with cucumber peel and slice
Build in a Collins glass with ice.
Related news
Top marketing moves from May 2026
