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I travelled by car from Stonehaven to Dyce Airport and from there, I flew to Sumburgh in Shetland.
After hiring a car I drove 72 miles to Baltasound in Unst, taking two inter island ferries on the way. The trip from Sumburgh took about three and a half hours including waiting time for the ferries. Time could have been saved if I had booked the ferries in advance.
When I arrived at my hotel in Baltasound, I made a beeline for the bar for a refreshment after my journey. The bar was very busy and I noticed the popularity of large bottles of beer with unusual names. It transpired that I was only a few minutes away from Britain’s most northerly Brewery, The Valhalla Brewery and the managing director was hosting a party for his daughter.
One local man who noticed I was drinking lager, suggested I try the local brew and recommended a bottle of Simmer Dim. “Why not” I said.I certainly enjoyed. my first tasting and indulged in a few more bottles. I was then introduced to Sonny Priest, the Brewery’s owner, who told me that he supplied this to the Marine Hotel in Stonehaven.
Further conversation convinced me that here was an example of tremendous business success in Britain’s most northerly Island Community. 
He invited me to visit the brewery next day which was a Saturday. I was amazed to find this small shed with all the latest brewing equipment inside and everything been done by Sonny himself. I watched him mix all the natural ingredients – hops, maize, roast barley, malt and of course water – fresh clean Shetland water, ideal for brewing fine ale.  He then showed me the bottling area and the equipment which allowed him to fill two bottles at a time very quickly.
In the same room was the apparatus to fit the tops to the bottle. In a room next to this he demonstrated how all the labelling was done. I was amazed to discover the simplicity of the whole operation and delighted to see a business like this continue to expand, particularly because it is in such a remote area.
How Did It All Begin
In 1997 Sonny’s job as Fire Officer/Manager at the Local Airport came to an end and he didn’t want to leave the island to look for work.
He always had a keen interest in Home Brewing and came up with the idea of starting a small brewery in Unst. With the help of Shetland Isles Council his idea came to fruition and the Brewery supplies many pubs in Shetland and is now attracting more interest throughout the UK.
Four different types of ale are available all names having a link with Shetland. The existing premises have now been outgrown and plans are afoot to move to larger premises later this year. What a tremendous example of how a hobby can be turned into a full time business.
Sonny is doing what he loves, in the place he loves ,with the full support of the woman he loves.
Enterprise at its best.
At time of writing the Marine Hotel is the only outlet in Stonehaven but Sonny is keen to have more outlets in Stonehaven and I certainly would endorse his products.
More details of the Valhalla Brewery can be found on their website.
Go To Site
Article by George McGllivray of Stonehaven Guide www.stonehavenguide.net
Update June 2006
The beer is now stocked by Delicacies in Evan Street, Stonehaven.
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