Would you like a Loch Ness drink?

A doctor and a former detective revive illicit pleasures on the banks of Loch Ness. Kevin Pilley hears their story.

Dr Lorien and Kevin Cameron-Ross run the Loch Ness Spirits micro-distillery at Dores, making small-batch premium gin as well as the once infamous absinthe.

“Kevin and I met at Aberdeen University and got married the day after our finals. Twenty years ago,” says Lorien. “We have five kids and six grandchildren to date. Kevin is the main distiller and is mainly self-taught, al­though studied with the Institute of Brewers & Distillers. He is in charge of the day-to-day practical running of the company.”

“I am also the reality checker. As Lorien’s ideas sometimes don’t make much sense,” says the Aberdeen-born ex-detective. “They have a tendency to go down rabbit holes!”

Lorien, who was born on the banks of the loch in Aldourie Castle, served in the Royal Army Medical Corps until 2006. This included a tour of Iraq with an infantry battalion. “I returned to my hometown of Inverness to join the NHS as a GP. I have worked in almost every GP setting. Urban, remote and rural, emergency department, military and civilian in England, Scotland and Canada. I am currently the...