Scapa launches Sanctuary Trails on Orkney, blending whisky, wilderness, and wellbeing

Scapa, the Orkney-based single malt whisky distillery, has launched an immersive new experience for whisky lovers and outdoor adventurers alike, partnering with hiking platform Outdooractive to unveil a curated series of walking routes across the island. 

The ‘Scapa Sanctuary Trails’ offer visitors a chance to explore the island’s wild beauty while enjoying a taste of Scapa’s distinctive aged whiskies, in the setting that inspired them.

Designed to foster moments of calm and reconnection with nature, each trail culminates at the Scapa distillery on the banks of Scapa Flow, where guests are invited to sample Scapa’s 10, 16 and 21 Year Old single malts, enjoy guided tours, and dine on locally-inspired food pairings in the distillery’s striking clifftop tasting room, Scapa Noust.

The collaboration with Outdooractive, one of the world’s foremost hiking apps, reflects Scapa’s ambition to create sensory experiences that go beyond the dram.

Walkers can choose from a variety of routes to suit their mood or ability, including the scenic 4.7-mile Kirkwall to Scapa route, the more meditative Crantit Trail (4.2 miles), or the longer, folklore-inspired Folklore and Stones route (15 miles).

Designed to foster moments of calm and reconnection with nature, each trail culminates at the Scapa distillery on the banks of Scapa Flow…

For those unable to make the journey to Orkney, a curated version of the experience will be offered in London this summer. An urban trail –  including a stroll along the Thames and a visit to specialist retailer The Whisky Exchange – offers a taste of Scapa Sanctuary without leaving the city.

Jayne Murphy, Marketing Director Malts at Chivas Brothers, explains: “The Scapa Sanctuary Trails are an invitation to experience Orkney through the lens of Scapa, to discover the landscapes and traditions that inspire our whisky making, and to savour our aged collection where it all begins.”

Aged to perfection

Crafted under the guidance of Master Distiller Mick Swanney, Scapa’s aged single malt Signature collection represents the distillery’s most refined expression of its Orcadian roots.

Scapa 10 Year Old is a bright and balanced malt with notes of fresh pineapple, finishing with a touch of gentle spice.

Scapa 16 Year Old, the centrepiece of the range, offers aromas of ripe mango and a palate layered with sweet, spiced and fruity character.

Scapa 21 Year Old, a cask strength single malt, delivers tropical fruit complexity, aromatic oak spice, and a syrupy sweetness.

All three expressions are bottled with artwork and colourways inspired by Orkney’s natural palette,  from its heather-draped hills to the dark blues of the North Atlantic, and are packaged in distinctively designed gift boxes reflecting the island’s raw and rugged charm.

The whisky is matured using traditional methods, often in American oak casks, and shaped by the salty sea air that surrounds the distillery. The result is a series of single malts that are light yet flavourful, echoing the clean air and wild terrain of the distillery’s cliffside home.

Whisky with a view

The distillery’s tasting room, Scapa Noust, opened in 2023 and was inspired by the island’s seafaring heritage. Named after the traditional Orcadian word for a safe harbour, its design mimics the inside of an upturned boat, a nod to how sailors once sought refuge from storms.

Visitors can now sample Scapa’s aged range in this intimate, architectural space, with panoramic views across Scapa Flow.

Founded in 1885, Scapa remains one of the most northerly whisky distilleries in Scotland. Overlooking one of the UK’s most historically significant natural harbours, the distillery’s remote location and respect for tradition continue to shape its elegant, fragrant style.

For more on the Sanctuary Trails, visit Scapa’s page on Outdooractive or learn more at scapawhisky.com.