Celebrating historic Orkney links

A 3-year-old rum, crafted on the uninhabited island of Lamb Holm, has been launched in celebration of  the Chapel’s historic links with Orkney. Rosabelle, a pure single Scottish rum matured in ex-bourbon and virgin oak casks, is the latest product to mark the connection which stretches back nearly 600 years.

Sir William St Clair, founder of the Chapel, was the third and last St Clair Prince of Orkney. The title came to the family through the marriage of his great-grandfather, William St Clair to Isabella, daughter of, and heir to, Malise V of Strathearn, who was also Earl of Orkney and Caithness. After William’s death, his son Henry was recognised as 42nd Earl of Orkney in 1369 and ten years later as the first St Clair Prince of Orkney. The title transferred to his son, also Henry, and then to William, who was installed at a ceremony on 9th August 1434. He kept the title until February 1472, when Orkney was annexed to the Scottish Crown permanently by King James III.

Ian Gardner, Director of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, said: ‘We are delighted to be celebrating these historic links and, at the same time, supporting businesses in Orkney. Our shop now stocks gin from Orkney Distilling, which is distilled in Kirkwall, as well as savoury biscuits from Argo’s Bakery and beautiful jewellery by Sheila Fleet, which was inspired by the Chapel. Our new rum, produced by J Gow Rum, is already proving popular and, as Rosslyn Chapel Trust is a charity, every purchase in our shop or through our website supports our conservation work.’

The new rum, Rosabelle, is named after the ill-fated heroine of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lay of the Last Minstrel, which tells the tragic story of a young noblewoman from the St Clair family. Ignoring warnings of an approaching storm, she sets sail across the Firth of Forth to attend a ball at Rosslyn Castle. When Rosabelle is lost at sea, legend tells of a mysterious crimson glow appearing over Rosslyn Chapel and Castle – a feature reflected in the bottle’s label.

Bottles can be ordered through the Chapel website – buy rum here

Photo: Sarah Petrie, of Rosslyn Chapel Trust, takes on the role of Rosabelle, to launch the new rum.

Picture by Rob McDougall

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