100 Years of Duncansby Head Lighthouse
A Community Celebration!
Last weekend marked the 100 Year anniversary of Duncansby Head Lighthouse which is 2 miles from the Distillery. If you’ve ever been up to visit us you have probably taken a trip up there to walk over the hill to view the beautiful sea stacks.
Such a momentous occasion was marked with great community spirit and a host of events in and around John O’Groats itself.
The main event being a superb music and light show projected onto the walls of the lighthouse itself. You can view a recording of the video by Lyth Arts Centre on their YouTube channel.
All the local businesses supported the weekend by hosting events and decorating windows, which our Brand Home Manager Libby did to great effect with our giant windows in the lounge. We held an Open Mic Night on the Friday night which was such a success that we’re planning to run more over the Summer season.
On Saturday afternoon in our Tasting Room we held an ocean-inspired workshop run by local artist Laura O’Kane - it was brilliant to see the creative output from all attendees. On Sunday night we finished the weekend with a ‘Dram and Draw’ session run by another local artist Aimee Lockwood - a brilliant way to relax with friends and be creative whilst enjoying a whisky or two!
The John O’Groats Development Trust shared this extract from the John O’Groats Hotel Visitors Book from 15th March 1924 when the lighthouse was opened. We wonder what the visitors who were here to open the lighthouse would think of the 100 year celebrations!
An extract from the John O’Groats Visitor Book in March 1924. Credit: John O’Groats Development Trust
We had a range of lighthouse inspired special cocktails on the menu for the weekend. Our ‘In The Deep’ cocktail was the brightest whisky cocktail I have ever seen - and it tasted delicious! Find the recipe below if you’d like to recreate it at home.
As we reflect on a busy weekend we are grateful for the wonderful community spirit we have in Caithness and John O’Groats itself. Events like these wouldn’t be such a success without lots of support from wonderful volunteers and local organisations!
Big shout out to Lyth Arts Centre, John O’Groats Development Trust, John O’Groats Book Festival and everyone else involved!