23 June 2025
Inverness Castle Experience Whisky Seanchaidh Shortlisted for Scottish Design Awards
The Inverness Castle Experience is proud to announce that its bespoke whisky, Seanchaidh, has been shortlisted in the Packaging category at the Scottish Design Awards. In a year that saw a record number of entries from across Scotland's design sector, making it through to the final is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the creative collaboration behind this unique project.
As anticipation builds for the opening of The Inverness Castle Experience later this year, Seanchaidh – named after the Gaelic word for Storyteller – has already begun telling its tale. Conceived as a whisky with a story to tell, the packaging was designed by Inverness-based creative agency Dynam, working closely with Sally Robertson from the Own Label Company, who sourced the Highland whisky from a renowned distiller.
The Inverness Castle Experience is a key development within the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal; a joint investment of up to £315 million from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and the University of the Highlands and Islands. The deal aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth across the region.
The design brief was clear: to create a whisky that reflects the storytelling soul of the Highlands, inspired by the Castle’s role as a beacon for past, present and future Highland narratives. The result is a bottle rich with symbolism and meaning, and at its heart is the Castle’s iconic Rose Window.
Cllr Ian Brown, Leader of Inverness City and Area and Co-chair of the Inverness Castle Project Delivery Group, said, "Being shortlisted for a Scottish Design Award is a fantastic recognition of the creative talent behind The Inverness Castle Experience. Dynam’s whisky-themed design captures the spirit of the Highlands perfectly, and we’re proud to see it gaining the national attention it deserves.”
Michael Golding, Chair of High Life Highland’s Board of Directors, said, “We’re thrilled to see Seanchaidh recognised in such a competitive field. This whisky embodies everything the Castle stands for – connection, culture and the spirit of the Highlands. Dynam understood our vision perfectly and the design is more than packaging – it's part of the experience.”
David MacGregor, Creative Director at Dynam, added, “The design presents a unique double-sided wrap-around label. As the consumer handles the bottle and explores the design, the image of the Castle's Rose Window is revealed on the inside of the label, inviting discovery with every turn and sip."
The Scottish Design Awards ceremony will take place on 25 June in Glasgow, where winners across multiple disciplines will be celebrated.
Whether enjoyed as a dram or admired as a design piece, Seanchaidh captures the magic of the Highlands in every detail. When The Inverness Castle Experience opens its doors, this storyteller in a bottle will be there to welcome visitors, as if it’s always belonged.
The Inverness Castle Experience project, opening later this year, will benefit from £30m in investment to support its redevelopment from the Scottish and UK governments, The Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and a range of other partners.
Design entry: https://www.scottishdesignawards.com/2025/graphic-packaging/seanchaidh-whisky/