The Shetland Distillery Company opened Shetland's first and only distillery in 2014, with the long term aim of whisky production but beginning with gin production. The Original Shetland Reel Gin with locally grown applemint was launched in August 2014 and received a silver medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2015. The second core gin was launched in November 2015 and has locally harvested bladderwrack seaweed as a key botanical, this was also awarded a silver medal from San Franciso and the International World Spirits Competition, with a silver medal outstanding for the gin and tonic category. With 3 full-time members of staff, we have also produced a number of special and limited edition gin, including Simmer Gin, Holly Days and a cask-aged, navy strength gin to celebrate Shetland's Winter Fire Festival, Up Helly Aa in January 2016 and 2017. In summer 2015 we caused great excitement in the whisky world by bottling the first ever single malts in Shetland, after taking four octaves from mainland Scotland on the long journery north, to the UK's most northerly island of Unst. Such was the success, we have since bottled a malt whisky blend, Batch 1 of which won a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2016.

Saxa Vord has self-catering houses, and a seasonal hostel and bar/restaurant. From zero visitors seven years ago it now has over 6,500 bednights per year, and is helping the economic regeneration of Unst following the departure of the RAF. Please check our website for more information.

The two key achievements from this post were the development of a Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the National Park and the subsequent award of a European Charter for Sustainable Tourism - the first to be awarded to a UK National Park. Secondly, working with specialist consultants on the design and preparatory work to erect granite markers at each entry point to the National Park.

Previously RAF Henlow, and RAF College Cranwell for Officer Training and Specialist Trade Training