Glynis Leslie
Odinstone
Shapinsay
KW17 2DZ
Orkney Isles Preserves is a small family run business based on the Orkney island of Shapinsay. In a converted cottage we specialise in producing fine quality Jams, Marmalades and Chutneys using traditional recipes that have been handed down through the generations of our farming family. We pride ourselves on using only the finest quality ingredients and wherever possible we source these from the Orkney Islands. Since 2009 the electricity used to power our factory is generated by our own Wind Turbine "Tereza", so on windy days our products are manufactured using green energy.
We started with just 3 products back in 1986 when I used my recycled baby food jars to sell Rhubarb Jam, Strawberry Jam and Beetroot Chutney in the local Craft Shop - All using my Granny’s recipes which were then handed on to my Mum. 10 years on when the children were bigger I decided to try making the products on a more commercial scale, seeing that there was a gap in the market for “Home-made” preserves that were packaged attractively to make nice gifts. The business expanded and soon outgrew my farm kitchen. We were lucky to have a disused bothy we could convert into a small factory. This was done in 2001 with the help of Rural Development Grant. In the same year I was approached by Bob Nelson, who had a Market Garden in Birsay, to take over his Tomato Chutney business. We still use the recipes he developed. Spicy Tomato and Onion Chutney is one of the most popular along with Smoked Tomato Relish.
We now produce over 30 different kinds amounting to in excess of 4 tonnes per annum. The traditional preserves like Beetroot Chutney and Rhubarb Jam are always in demand, but Chilli Jam is our most popular product. We collaborate with the local Whisky and Gin Distilleries to produce Jams and Marmalades flavoured with their products and make Orkney Beer Chutney using Swannay Brewery's Scapa Scpecial.
We supply Wilsons Wholesale in Stromness who then distribute to local shops throughout Orkney. Our preserves are available online at Judith Glue and Jolly's of Orkney