'Gin Bothy is all about reconnecting with the past. The principle of respect – for mountain, river, and farm – is ingrained in their work and shines through in the products they’re proud to make. When Gin Bothy was first launched, it was about making the most of what the land had to offer. It was simple, really: surplus fresh berry juice from their jam-making operation was not going to waste. They experimented, infusing gin with the fruit juice. The Gin Bothy was born. Today, their gins are appreciated by customers who, as they first put bottle to glass, are sealing their own connection with the Scottish glens. They invite you to take a journey with them through the hills. And, every now and then, to take a pause and enjoy a taste that blends past and present; that echoes down the generations.' Kim Cameron, Founder of Gin Bothy
Kim Cameron has taken those humble beginnings in jam-making to become a market leader in gin production, winning numerous prestigious awards for the product, the Bothy Experience venue in Angus, and the business, which has grown, evolved, flourished, and expanded across the Atlantic to North America. With the advice of her beloved late father, Kim had the courage to take her creation forward and has never wavered from the ethos and beliefs that underpin everything she does. Kim is an ambassador for rural Scotland, promoting its traditions, people, places, food, and drink. In the Bothy Experience, she has brought to life the humble bothies that dot the landscape, offering shelter from the weather, a place to rest, meet, share a dram, and a story or a song in front of a warming fire. Her business was born in Angus, and as it has grown, the county has benefited with employment, tourism opportunities, an increasingly recognizable brand, and a successful local business. Kim is in the process of expanding the Gin Bothy further with a production facility in the local town to cope with the continued expansion of sales and products, including now the Rum Bothy, the Cider Bothy, working with other local producers to now also support The Bothy Larder, and coming full circle to celebrate where it all started with The Jam Bothy. She also now has a range of goods and gifts from wool throws to pottery, candles, ceramics, and art, all building on the story of the rich, natural, raw beauty of Scotland from mountain to river, glen to coast. Kim is a true local hero.
Kim states that her business was born out of the Bothy culture. It's a way of life that resonates through the decades. One to cherish, embrace, and protect. Past generations in rural Scotland were proud guardians of the land, protectors of a unique heritage. In everything done at The Bothy, she is committed to keeping that connection strong. So she uses traditional production methods: every bottle is numbered, batched, and poured by hand. She sources local produce, works with other local artisans, and uses fresh Scottish berries, rhubarb, and other ingredients. Kim and her team can often be found in the great outdoors of Scotland collecting pine needles, heather, and other botanicals, and together they pack and ship Gin Bothy products to customers around the world. Kim Cameron is one of those individuals who has embraced circularity not because it's good for the environment, but because it makes sense. Kim can be found selling her products at local fairs and still finds time to share gin tasting experiences and sing her beloved folk songs to a growing following of loyal customers. From the outset, she turned to local friends and family to help her realize her vision, and in doing so, The Gin Bothy has provided valuable flexible employment for working mums and a growing number of local Angus people who share a home with Kim. Sales began at Peel Farm, and it is no surprise that the same faces that worked alongside her in the early days are still with her today.