Our foraging guidelines have been updated for 2026 with important allergen protocol and identification guides. Please make sure you read and download our new guidelines, and contact us with any questions at hello@northuistdistillery.com

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE FORAGING AND STORAGE GUIDELINES

It's that time of year when the fields and moors of Uist burst into bloom, the beautiful herbs and flowers that bring that burst of island flavour to Downpour gin are ready to forage, and we look forward to bartering botanicals for gin with our fabulous customers! 

The season starts with wild thyme, which grows in low clumps in the rocky cutaways along the roadsides, bringing the first splash of summer purple to the island, and the delicious herbal balance to Downpour Coast and Croft. 

Then comes the bell heather, in unmistakably vibrant magenta clumps, heralding that heather season is here. Bell is fast followed by ling heather, a more subdued but much more prolific plant, covering the moors in a blanket of dusty purple. Both bell and ling heather go into Downpour Scottish Dry Gin, creating the unique taste of island life distilled that our flagship gin is known and loved for.

Around the same time, as the summer is at its peak, pineapple weed is having its moment in the fields and gardens of Uist. Also known as wild chamomile, the vibrant greenish yellow flowers lend a tropical yet Hebridean flavour to our Downpour Hebridean Spiced Rum. 

Each batch of Downpour that is made with foraged botanicals is named for the location on the island that those botanicals were collected, which is then handwritten on the bottle's neck tie, making sure that the provenance of each delicious bottle we produce is honoured. 

We love meeting the Downpour fans that have foraged for botanicals. Swapping those botanicals for gin in the time honoured island bartering tradition is one of our favourite parts of the Downpour process!

It's important to us that best foraging practises are followed to protect the beautiful plants that are so important to not only our spirits, but the island's ecosystem. There are also a few guidelines for making sure that what you forage is suitable for our distilling process. 

Wild Hebridean Gin Botanical Foraging Guidelines

• Please wear gloves and ensure your hands, tools and containers are clean and are free from any potential allergens

• Remove no more than 10% of the growth from any one plant 

• Remove flowers with scissors or gently with your hands, never pull plants up by the roots 

• With heather, we only want the flowers and we need them to be fully open - employ the sniff test if you are unsure, if you can't smell the sweet honey fragrance then it's not ready yet!

• With wild thyme, we need the flowers and the foliage but as this is a very low growing plant it's extra important to make sure you do not pull it up by the roots

• With pineapple weed we only use the flowers, and they must be fully yellow with their telltale pineapple scent

• Botanicals should be stored in new/ unused zip-lock or plastic sealable bags, or in clean glass containers, clearly labelled with the location, time and date they were collected

• Botanicals should be delivered to the distillery ideally immediately and within a maximum of 24 hours after picking

• Be tick aware. The moors are an excellent place to pick up these unwanted passengers, so long sleeves and trousers are recommended, and please make sure to check your nooks and crannies at the end of the day 

DOWNLOAD COMPLETE FORAGING AND STORAGE GUIDELINES

Barter Your Botanicals for Gin 

Wild Thyme 

Heather

Pineapple Weed