Everything you need to know about Scapa Distillery

A brief History

Scapa, Islands Region, Scotland. Founded in 1885.

Scapa Distillery sits on the shores of Scapa Flow in Orkney, just outside the town of Kirkwall. Founded in 1885 by John Townsend, it’s one of the northernmost Scotch whisky distilleries and has always been closely tied to its coastal surroundings.

If you know Orkney whisky, you’ll likely have heard of its neighbour Highland Park. But Scapa offers something quite different. While both share the same island, Scapa focuses on a softer, fruitier style with little to no peat smoke.

Over the years, the distillery has gone through periods of closure and change, but it has always returned to production. Today it operates on a relatively small scale, which adds to its appeal. There’s a quieter, less commercial feel to Scapa — and that tends to carry through into the whisky itself.

Explore all Islands Whisky

Taste Profile


Oaky / Woody	Fruity	Sweet

Scapa whiskies are known for being smooth and approachable. You’ll often notice soft fruit notes like apple and pear, followed by honey sweetness and a gentle vanilla character from oak maturation.

There’s a light coastal influence — not quite salty, but fresh — which adds a bit of character without overpowering the whisky. Unlike some island whiskies, peat smoke is either very light or completely absent.

Top 4 Flavour Profile Ingredients

	Apple / Pear
	Oak / Wood Spice
	Honey
	Vanilla

The Distillery

The Distiller: Scapa Distillery
Address: St Ola, Kirkwall KW15 1SE

Open in Maps

www.scapawhisky.com/en

+44 (0)1856 872045

Visitor Centre & Opening Times

Yes — Scapa has a visitor experience overlooking Scapa Flow.

Typical opening hours

Monday – Friday
Around 10:00 – 16:00

Tours are smaller and more relaxed compared with larger distilleries, often giving a closer look at the production process.

Ownership History

Founder

John Townsend (1885)

Later Ownership

Allied Distillers

Current Owner

Chivas Brothers (part of Pernod Ricard)

The distillery remains part of a major whisky group but operates on a smaller scale.

Distillery Facts

Overview & History

Scapa Distillery is located near Kirkwall on Orkney, making it one of the most northerly whisky distilleries in Scotland. It was founded in 1885 by John Townsend and Macfarlane.

Although Orkney is often associated with heavily peated whiskies, Scapa has traditionally produced a lighter, unpeated style, contrasting with its island neighbour Highland Park.

The distillery has experienced periods of closure and limited production over the years but has been revitalised in recent decades. It is currently owned by Pernod Ricard (Chivas Brothers).

Production

Spirit Type: Single malt Scotch whisky
Region: Islands (Orkney)
Stills: Includes a rare Lomond-style wash still and a traditional spirit still
Water Source: Lingro Burn
Cask Policy: Primarily ex-bourbon casks

Scapa is notable for retaining a Lomond-style still, which is rare in modern Scotch whisky production.

Whisky Style

Scapa whisky typically shows:

Light to medium body
Honey and vanilla sweetness
Soft orchard fruit (apple, pear)
Creamy texture
Gentle coastal influence

Unlike many island whiskies, Scapa is unpeated, resulting in a cleaner and more approachable profile.

Key Expressions

Scapa 10 Year Old – Core modern release
Scapa Skiren – Bourbon cask matured expression
Scapa Glansa – Lightly peated finish
Older limited releases and travel retail expressions

The range focuses on accessible, bourbon-cask-driven whiskies.

Significance

Scapa offers a contrasting style within Orkney, providing a lighter alternative to peated island malts. Its use of a Lomond-style still also gives it technical interest within Scotch whisky production.

While often overshadowed by other island distilleries, Scapa has gained recognition for its approachable style and unique production setup.