Sagas and stills – chance to explore Highland Park’s history

A unique opportunity to research the history of Orkney’s Highland Park Distillery is on offer at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The three year ‘sagas and stills’ project is a joint initiative between the University’s Centre for Nordic Studies, based at Orkney College UHI, and Highland Park distillery.

The postgraduate student who carries out the PhD research will explore the history of Highland Park from the earliest times to the present day.

The results of the work will be included in a book and an exhibition telling the story of the distillery.

Professor Donna Heddle, Director of the Centre for Nordic Studies, said: “We are delighted to expand on our continuing involvement with Highland Park and in particular, with this exciting and unique PhD project.

“This project will not only be an absorbing and original academic study but will also give the student the opportunity to see their work brought to life through an exhibition at Highland Park and a range of other knowledge exchange activities.

“This project fits in extremely well with our policy of community engagement and of bringing Orkney to a wider global audience. I, and my colleague Dr Alexandra Sanmark, are very much looking forward to supervising this research which, although it deals with the past, is very much 21st century in design.”

Jason R. Craig, Brand Director, Highland Park, added: “We are extremely proud to be able to support such an exciting opportunity.

"The sagas of Orkney and the 220 year heritage of Highland Park is a brilliant subject for the lucky PhD student to investigate.

"We know that our Viking ancestors ruled the Orkney Islands for over 600 years.

"We are fascinated with their legacy and the fact that many of their descendants are now making our single malt, is one of the main reasons we describe Highland Park as ‘the Orkney single malt with Viking Soul’. We cannot wait to get started on this project.”

Students interested in undertaking the research can find out more by getting in touch with the Centre for Nordic Studies by email or by calling 01856569300.