In Your Shoes - Kim Cameron

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Kim Cameron, founder of Bothy Trading, is often described as an accidental gin maker. Her journey started with jam, using Scotland's seasonal fruit calendar. Waste product from jam making was added to gin and Jam Bothy become Gin Bothy in 2015.

Now one of the most award-winning producers in Scotland, our brands include Gin Bothy, Rum Bothy and Hipflask Spirits. Passionate about preserving the traditions and heritage of bothy culture in the north-east of Scotland as showcased in The Bothy Experience in Glamis, open Thursday to Sunday 11am-5pm or by private appointment.

Launching Our New Smoked Gin

We launched our newest spirit this weekend, Smoked Gin. We have teamed up with Alex Spink and Sons who have been making smokies in Arbroath since 1977 to make this gin, applying their traditional smoking techniques to juniper, orange peel, coriander and lemon which were then distilled. It’s really important to me to that we share bothy culture as part of what we do and this collaboration with a local smokehouse helps us to tell the history of North-East Scotland.

I’m really pleased with how well our Smoked Gin was received and today I’m busy helping to send out the weekend’s orders.

Making Plans For Our New Distillery

It’s an exciting day for Bothy Trading as I am spending time with our architect on plans for our new distillery. Although it’s all under wraps at the moment, it’s great to see how my ideas can be shaped to create the best use of the space we have available in an environmentally sustainable way.

Preparing For The Festive Season

We are currently packaging up the first of our Christmas orders to stockists. The festive season is always very busy for us with all hands on deck, so we like to be well organised. I’m also meeting with our photographers to check the images in advance of our launch of two new gifts to add to our seasonal collection.

Hand Delivering Our Stockist Orders

I’m out on deliveries today, which isn’t a bad job in the Scottish countryside! We hand-deliver orders to our local stockists and bars and restaurants in the area as well as our own shop in advance of the weekend.

Events At The Bothy Experience & Further Afield

At the end of the week you will usually find me at The Bothy Experience, our visitor centre and shop in Glamis. It’s always nice to work in such picturesque surroundings and chat to our customers. Today I’m working with the team on our new seasonal tastings and events for the rest of the year, including a celebration of Scottish music and storytelling in November.

I'm also preparing for the Cateran Yomp, an event which we proudly support, where we pitch up at the edge of Auchintaple Loch and serve a wee warming nip to those walking 54 miles over 24 hours to raise funds for ABF The Soldiers' Charity.