From Spirit to Stay: How Arbikie Distillery Elevated Its Business with ÖÖD
Arbikie Distillery, a family-run estate on Scotland’s scenic east coast, had long been known for its sustainable, award-winning spirits and deep-rooted heritage in farming. But in 2024, the Stirling family made a bold move to diversify their business and enrich the visitor experience, not through new distillation techniques, but by partnering with global nature hospitality company ÖÖD to offer luxury mirror house stays on their grounds.
The idea emerged from a shared vision: ÖÖD sought an iconic Scottish location for its first site in the country, and Arbikie was seeking new, innovative ways to invite guests deeper into its field-to-bottle world. With no standout short-term accommodation options in the surrounding Angus area, both parties saw an opportunity to offer something exceptional – ÖÖD by Arbikie.
An Immersive Highland Escape
The location itself was already a hidden gem: perched near Dundee, flanked by rolling fields and facing the vast North Sea, the Arbikie Estate offered striking natural beauty and seclusion—an ideal backdrop for ÖÖD’s Signature Mirror Houses. With 180-degree floor-to-ceiling windows, each of the four ÖÖD units was designed to reflect the sky and landscape while offering guests a cocoon of luxury.
Three units feature ÖÖD’s signature mirror saunas, and one includes a private hot tub experience. Guests wake up to panoramic sea views, explore the distillery and its craft processes, and enjoy curated meals from Arbikie’s chefs. The location is easily accessible, situated just two hours north of Edinburgh and 90 minutes south of Aberdeen.
In just six months since July 2024, Arbikie has achieved strong, consistent performance metrics by hosting guests in the ÖÖD Mirror Houses:
- Average Occupancy Rate: 70%
- Average Monthly Revenue: ~ £16.000
- Nightly rate of: £270 – £300
From Tasting Room to Tourism Hub
Since launching the mirror house accommodations, Arbikie has seen a transformation in its visitor patterns and business model. Foot traffic to the distillery has increased significantly, particularly from overnight guests who previously would not have made the journey for a day visit alone. Guests not only book stays—they book tours, tastings, meals, and share their experience across social media, amplifying Arbikie’s reach to new global audiences.
What’s more, this expansion came with minimal overhead costs. ÖÖD’s modular design allowed for easy setup on the rugged Highland terrain, with no need for traditional hotel infrastructure like a front desk. Guests self-check in, while the Arbikie team remains on hand to offer a warm, personal welcome and curated distillery experience.
ÖÖD Partnership Program
ÖÖD is actively expanding through strategic partnerships with landowners, hospitality brands, and experience-driven businesses like Arbikie Distillery. Through our Partnership Program, we provide more than just our iconic Mirror Houses—we deliver a turnkey solution to help partners launch and scale their own unique accommodation offering.
As a partner, you gain access to:
- ÖÖD Signature Mirror Houses – world-renowned for their minimalist design and immersive nature experience
- A trusted, globally recognised brand
- A full-scale booking platform that syncs with all major OTAs (Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, etc.)
- A loyal and growing international traveller base
- A gift card system to drive direct bookings and marketing campaigns
- Expert support throughout every stage—from planning and site design to delivery, setup, and launch
Our team works closely with each partner to build not just cabins, but unforgettable destinations. Whether you’re adding a new revenue stream to your existing business or creating a nature retreat from scratch, ÖÖD helps bring your vision to life.
Start your hospitality journey with ÖÖD Partnership at www.oodhouse.com/partnership