The 1881 Gin Distillery is in the Peebles Hydro Hotel, Scottish Borders. It honours the hotel's history and craftsmanship. The idea started with the hotel's tennis pavilion. In the 1920s, gin and tonic were popular at Peebles Hydro's tennis tournaments. This led to the idea of making their own gin using the hotel's spring water.
The tennis pavilion was too small, but the hotel was determined. They set up the distillery in the main hotel, named after the year the hotel was founded. The distillery uses local botanicals and water from Shieldgreen Spring. Dean McDonald, the Head Distiller, uses his skills in brewing and distilling. Lauren Appleyard, with her hospitality experience, works with him.
Peebles Hydro has been a hospitality centre since 1868. It joined the Crieff Hydro Family in 2014. The 1881 Distillery started in 2018. It uses the same mineral-rich spring known for water treatments. The distillery isn't just for making gin. Guests can also make their own gin using 26 mini-stills.
The distillery and gin school are in the old Victorian swimming pool. Visitors can look around the distillery shop. It also sells various gins and related items.
In short, The 1881 Gin Distillery mixes history, skill, and new ideas. It celebrates Peebles Hydro's past. It offers a special gin-making experience. This starts with Shieldgreen spring water and ends with a glass of well-made gin.