Guide to Christmas gifts inspired by Orkney

Bring a little taste of Orkney to Christmas this year with our guide to gifts inspired by the islands’ stunning landscapes, unique traditions and local craftsmanship.

With Christmas just around the corner, here are some fantastic Orkney gift ideas to support local makers and share a little piece of Orkney with a loved one.

If anyone enjoys drinking ale, the Orkney Brewery sell a fantastic gift set with a standing stones design presentation box containing three x 500ml bottles of Orkney Brewery Ales.

Also their popular Clootie Dumpling Ale is back! A deep Amber beer with aromas and flavours of fruit, rich malt, cinnamon and ginger. The name Clootie Dumpling comes from the traditional Scottish Spiced pudding and the cloth or ‘cloot’ it is wrapped in. This fruity, spiced, winter ale exhibits all the warming characters of that famous dish.

For any artist, whatever the medium, inspiration is everywhere in these northern isles: let this fabulous book Quilt – inspired by Orkney and Shetland by Rosalind Johansson be the perfect gift for those interested in Textiles. Celebrating quilts inspired by Orkney and Shetland, the book includes some local history, the author’s textile journey, personal anecdotes, patterns and step-by-step instructions.

Discover a trio of premium dark spirits that capture the character and craftsmanship of Orkney from Orkney Distillery with their Whisky and Rum Gift Set. This carefully curated collection brings together two distinctive blended malt whiskies and their spiced rum. Each spirit offers its own unique experience, while sharing the unmistakable influence of the islands that inspired them. This set is the perfect introduction to the range and an ideal gift for whisky and rum enthusiasts alike.

Full of mouth-watering winter spice, fruit and floral notes inspired by Orcadian Christmas traditions and the Orkney archipelago’s Viking heritage. Yuletide – Christmas Spiced Orkney Gin is a wonderfully festive Christmas gin that any gin fan will love!

For all the smoked cheese lovers, The Island Smokery offer a range of smoked Orkney cheddars in the Orkney Smoked Cheddar variety box.

Bold, seasonal botanicals are used to capture the warming spirit of Orkney Gin Company’s Mikkelmas in a spicy, yet silky smooth gin. As the sun sets into the Autumn and Winter skies, this gin captures the magic and Autumnal colours. With zesty Seville orange, hand-picked rose hips, smooth cinnamon, a gentle hint of cloves and delicate spices, Mikkelmas is the perfect spirit to sip by the crackling fire.

The Orkney Shop handpicks unique, locally crafted gifts inspired by Orkney’s landscapes, heritage, and wildlife. If you are looking for some unique Orkney inspired Christmas decorations then the Orkney Shop offer a Ring of Brodgar and a ‘Ba wooden Christmas decoration. Both handmade in the Orkney islands they are sure to be a great addition to any Christmas tree!

Do you know someone who would enjoy exploring the hidden upper levels of St Magnus Cathedral, unlocking the secrets of one of Orkney’s most revered buildings? Gift a behind-the-scenes voucher to explore the hidden upper sandstone levels and secret architecture of St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. Vouchers are available to buy from the cathedral custodians

If you are looking for something really unique to gift why not go for a jewellery making experience?. Gift the opportunity to join Jeweller Alison Moore and learn about the basics of making jewellery. Whoever you give this to will also come away with their very own piece of jewellery made by themselves!

For a full list of creatives, check out the Orkney Creative Trail.

If you happen to be in Orkney, November 21st–22nd Creative Orkney and Taste of Orkney will hold their annual Christmas Fayre, at Kirkwall Grammar School, showcasing local crafts, design, art, and food and drink.

By Victoria Dixon Orkney and Shetland fanatic, likes to capture life through a lens, loves creating, eclectic taste in music, enjoys being a Mum; would secretly love to be a star of the West End!

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