Seanchaidh Whisky (Inverness Castle)
A Whisky With a Story to Tell
As The Inverness Castle Experience prepares for its highly anticipated reopening, we were approached to design a whisky bottle that would embody the spirit of the Highlands. The result is Seanchaidh (shen-heh-kay), Gaelic for ‘Storyteller’ – a name chosen to reflect the very heart of the castle. From concept to completion, we designed a whisky that goes beyond being a drink. It’s a tribute to Highland heritage and mysticism, a portal for stories that connect the past and the present. With its carefully crafted design and rich narrative, this whisky offers customers and collectors alike a taste of the Highlands’ enduring magic.
The Brief
When we first met with the team at the Inverness Castle Experience, their vision was clear: craft a whisky design that embodied the art of storytelling and reflected the castle’s unique visitor experience. With the attraction slated to open in summer 2025, we embraced the opportunity to collaborate with key partners, including Sally Robertson from the Own Label Company, who sourced the whisky from a renowned Highland distiller. But when the timeline shifted in mid-2024 to prioritise a parliamentary reception, we began fast-tracking development whilst ensuring the brand authentically captured the ethos of the Highlands. Balancing creativity with industry regulations, we gave whisky drinkers the chance to celebrate the region’s heritage whilst being transparent about its origins – distinctive, captivating, and ready to stand out.
The Design
As we delved into the design, the Castle’s iconic Rose Window emerged as a natural centrepiece – a mystical symbol of the Inverness Castle Experience. This inspired the double-sided, wrap-around label, designed to reveal the intricate beauty of the window with every sip.
The bottle invites curiosity, encouraging customers to handle it and uncover the subtle connections to the Castle’s history. The whisky itself, a warm amber hue, reflects the colours of the Rose Window, whilst the text continues the storytelling tradition, with tasting notes that highlight its smooth, rich flavours. This thoughtful design harmonises mysticism with practicality, creating a collector’s item that is an ode to Highland culture. When the Castle finally welcomes visitors in 2025, this whisky will stand proudly amongst others – as if it's always been there.
The Results
In September 2024, Seanchaidh was unveiled at a parliamentary reception, garnering praise from Fergus Ewing MSP. A bottle auctioned at the Highland Business Awards raised £600 for the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance. As the festive season approached, 300 numbered, limited-edition bottles complete with certificates were sold at the Victorian Market, captivating collectors and fueling the excitement around Seanchaidh as a must-have souvenir of the Inverness Castle Experience.
For our team, it has been a privilege to collaborate on this very special project. We eagerly anticipate the official launch of Seanchaidh in 2025, as it takes its rightful place alongside Highland whisky heritage.
