Shetlands distillery expects business boom as a result of space tourism

A gin and whisky distillery on Britain’s most northernly island is gearing up for an influx of visitors following planning approval for a major rocket launch programme, db can reveal.

Last June the drinks business reported that plans were afoot to build three rocket launch pads with the capacity to blast up to 30 rockets per year into space, from the Shetland island of Unst.

Now, db can reveal that planning permission has been approved for the UK’s Pathfinder Vertical Launch Facility, and that spaceport license applications were submitted last week. Work is expected to begin on site later this month.

The Shetlands Distillery company, also based on Unst, has been a key driving force for the project, with one of the distillery’s co-founders also sitting on the board of directors for SaxaVord Spaceport, the organisation behind the proposal.

If fully approved, the SaxaVord project will see a number of 30-metre-tall rockets, capable of carrying loads of up to 1,000 kg, into the sun’s orbit, departing from the island’s Lamba Ness peninsula.

In addition to the construction of the rocket launch pads, the proposal includes the building of additional infrastructure including a satellite tracking facility, rocket hangars and integration facilities.

“Shetland Distillery is delighted about the spaceport development, which will see one of the first vertical rocket launches ever from the UK,” Debbie Strang, co-founder and director, Shetland Distillery Company, told the drinks business.

Strang anticipates there being no objections from Scottish ministers in approving the license applications.

As for concerns over the fate of Unst’s largely unspoiled landscape and of its local wildlife during and after the construction project, Strang stresses that “local communities and businesses were consulted throughout the development of the planning application, which included a detailed environmental assessment.”

She told db that, in space industry terms, the launchpads will not be particularly “big” and that SaxaVord has recently recruited a sustainability officer to ensure “appropriate protection of the environment”.

“The rockets that launch from Unst will be at the smallest end of the scale, topping out at a maximum of just over 30m, compared for example with 70m for the SpaceX Falcon rocket,” said Strang, who is also a director of SaxaVord Spaceport . “And in a wide open landscape such as that of Unst, the launchpads will not appear to be very big at all. As part of the plans, SaxaVord will actually support opportunities to see wildlife. Cape Canaveral in Florida is located next to a bird sanctuary.”

The Shetland Distillery Company is in the midst of making changes to its own facilities and operations in order to capitalise on the enhanced footfall it expects to see when tourists flock to the island, lured by the space project.

“We have introduced an online booking system and opened the distillery six days a week,” said Strang. “We envisage that the launch site will be of great interest to visitors. We know that we are often part of a visit to Unst, and we greatly look forward to welcoming more people.”

Strang, who has been at the heart of the dialogue regarding the rocket launches, sees further opportunity in creating space-themed products at the distillery. Last year, the distillery launched its Shetland Reel Countdown Gin, which “continues to sell well”, in anticipation of the rocket project getting the go-ahead, and more may be on the way.

“The inspiration for our gins is always Shetland, and what better than something as exciting as space to be a focus for the future? We have an opportunity to create some very special products going forward,” said Strang.

The distillery is already drawing international attention, both for its quality products and for its connection to the rocket launch project.

“We export our 20 award-winning gins and a blended malt whisky far and wide. Most recently, two pallets left for Italy, on the back of a 50-case order to Texas,” Strang said.

When asked how the SaxaVord proposal had been generally received by Unst residents, Strang shared:

“Change always brings uncertainty but the Spaceport has made every effort to keep the local residents informed about developments, and groups have been convened by the Shetland Islands Council to include local interests and businesses….

“The Space Tourism Group has been set up to specifically identify future opportunities for businesses throughout Shetland and they are currently undertaking a survey to understand who might visit, what factors would influence attendance and what visitors might be looking for as part of the launch experience.”