ISLE of Harris Distillers has launched a click and collect service for its gin, which managing director Simon Erlanger believes is the first scheme of its kind in the drinks industry.

The service has started in partnership with independent restaurant, bar and retail outlets in Glasgow and North Uist, and Mr Erlanger highlighted plans to extend the scheme to Edinburgh within the next week or so.

The“depositories” in and around Glasgow, from which online customers of Isle of Harris Distillers can pick up the gin they have purchased almost immediately, are Finsbay in Milngavie, Gray’s Kitchen Deli in Broomhill, Cafe Gandolfi in Albion Street, and Valhalla’s Goat in Kelvinbridge.

On North Uist, the £35-a-bottle Isle of Harris gin can be collected at Macleans Bakery at Lochmaddy.

Mr Erlanger highlighted plans to link up with a tea specialist, a gin bar, a men’s grooming products shop and a Scottish gifts outlet in Isle of Harris Distillers’ expansion of the click and collect service to Edinburgh.

He has avoided selling Isle of Harris gin through big retailers as part of the drive by the “social distillery” to build direct relationships with customers.

The focus has been on direct sales through the distillery’s website, to visitors to the operation at Tarbert, and to selected bars and restaurants. The distillery will in years to come be selling The Hearach single malt, when this whisky is ready to be bottled.

Mr Erlanger said of the click and collect service: “We realise people want their gin now. They don’t want to wait for three days [for it] to cross the Minch – at certain times of year that could be even longer.”

He added: “I don’t know of anyone who has done this before.”