Why Wildfire?
It all started with the gorse bush.
Twice a year, in spring and late summer, the hills of the Scottish Borders are lit up by the golden blaze of gorse. It’s impossible to miss. Whether you’re cycling or walking through the rolling countryside, the sweet, coconut-like scent of the flowers clings to the air, staying with you long after you’ve gone home. That smell sparked an idea—a wild, ambitious idea—to bottle the spirit of the Borders so everyone, no matter where they were, could experience it.
A gin, they thought. A gin that captured the Borders in a single sip.
Within a year, the idea became more than just talk over drinks. A group of friends came together with a plan: create a world-class gin inspired by their home. They’d combine bold flavors, the untamed beauty of the countryside, and a touch of creativity, blending it all into something unique. And they’d call it Wildfire.
The name wasn’t chosen by accident. The golden blaze of gorse flowers spreading across the hills looked like flames leaping from one mountain to the next. But the name also came from a story—a local legend, really. Madge Wildfire, a spirited, slightly rebellious character in Sir Walter Scott’s The Heart of Midlothian, inspired the fiery personality behind the gin.
Scott himself was a figurehead of the Borders, living just a short distance from where the gin was born. He was a global star of his time—a 19th-century literary giant who brought Scotland’s folklore, history, and traditions to life for the world. His imagination and ambition were unparalleled. He rediscovered Scotland’s Crown Jewels, designed the modern kilt, and wrote the stories that shaped how the world saw Scotland. If anyone understood how to take something uniquely Scottish and share it far and wide, it was him.
Wildfire Gin shares that same boldness, with a hint of rebellion thrown in.
The first batch of gin was infused with gorse flowers, lending it a subtle, coconut-scented aroma that instantly brought the Borders to mind. Every bottle was a celebration of the land that inspired it—a tribute to its beauty, its wildness, and its spirit.
And that’s just the beginning.
The team behind Wildfire isn’t stopping at one gin. They’re dreaming up seasonal creations that reflect the changing landscapes of Scotland and planning “expedition” gins inspired by new adventures. They’re also teaming up with like-minded artisans and creators who share their passion for pushing boundaries, all while staying rooted in the heart of the Borders.
Wildfire isn’t just a gin—it’s a journey.
Just like the gorse blooms year after year, spreading its golden fire across the hills, the team hopes Wildfire will spread, too. First across the UK, and then further, sharing the taste of the Borders with people everywhere.
It all started with the gorse bush, a simple idea, and a group of friends who dared to dream big. The rest, as they say, is history.
