Scotland’s gin distilleries do their bit

Let’s give a big hand to Scotland’s independent gin distilleries, which have used the virus pandemic to think outside the box and given us reasons to be cheerful.

Helping us protect ourselves

The national shortage of hand sanitiser up and down the country meant that many independent distilleries took it upon themselves to use their in-house alcohol to produce WHO-formula handwash for key workers and people in their local communities who were in need.

If you’re a gin lover on the lookout for hand sanitiser as lockdown eases, look up the Stirling Gin web shop – they are giving away a 50ml bottle with every order!

Helping us prepare ourselves

After the recent call to wear face masks in enclosed spaces where social distancing is difficult to achieve, Persie Distillery designed its own face covering for gin fans. Their microfibre face mask is soft, reusable, hypoallergenic and machine washable. Best of all, it says what we’ve all thought at one time or another during lockdown: "Only removing for gin and sarcasm".

Helping us amuse ourselves

If you need a break from working, homeschooling, Netflix bingeing – or even your family – Eden Mill’s Distillery & Brewery Virtual Tour is one way to leave the house without breaking any rules. It’s an informative and insightful look at one of biggest names in Scottish gin, with an opportunity to learn more about its beer and whisky brands.

• Chrissie Fairclough is tastings director for Gin Club Scotland, which runs touring and distillery-based tastings, as well as offering tasting kits for people to run their own events. www.ginclubscotland.com

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