Halkirk, Highland

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Halkirk
gaelic_name= Hacraig
population =
os_grid_reference= ND130594
latitude=58.51
longitude=-3.49
unitary_scotland= Highland
lieutenancy_scotland= Caithness
constituency_westminster= Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
constituency_scottish_parliament= Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency in the Highlands and Islands electoral region
post_town= HALKIRK
postcode_district = KW12
postcode_area= KW
dial_code= 01847

HalkirkOrdnance Survey grid reference for Halkirk Bridge: gbmappingsmall|ND130594] is a village on the River Thurso in Caithness, in the Highland council area of Scotland. From Halkirk the B874 road runs towards Thurso in the north and towards Georgemas in the east. The village is within the parish of Halkirk, and is said by local people to be Scotland's first planned village.

It was at one time the site of the cathedral of the Diocese of Caithness, but this was moved to Dornoch in the early 13th century. There are no remains of the early church and bishop's seat.

Historic distilleries

Halkirk has had two whisky distilleries, Gerston from 1796 to 1885, and Ben Morven (also known as Gerston II) from 1886 to circa 1911. Both were established on the banks of the River Thurso, near Gerston FarmOrdnance Survey grid reference for Gerston Farm: gbmappingsmall|ND129595] , and both drew water from Calder Burn. The Ben Morven distillery was named for the mountain, the highest point in Caithness.

The original Gerston distillery was first registered by a Francis Swanson, and was expanded by two sons, John and James, in 1825. Sir Robert Peel is said to have acquired a taste for the whisky. The distillery closed not long after it was sold to new owners in 1872, and a London company, calling themselves the Gerston Distillery Company, decided to build a new distillery.

In 1897 the new distillery was sold to Northern Distilleries Limited, who gave it the Ben Morven name. It was never very successful, and it closed circa 1911. The stillhouse is still standing.

Alexander Keith

Halkirk is the birthplace of Alexander Keith (1795 to 1873), who settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia and became established as a respected politician and brewer. He is known across Canada for his most famous beer, Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale.

Footnotes

See also

External pages

* [http://www.thisishalkirk.co.uk/ Halkirk community website]
* [http://www.caithness.org/community/worship/cos/halkirk/churchscot.jpgHalkirk Parish Church]