Benbecula Distillery
| Region: Island | |
|---|---|
| Location | Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°26′46″N 7°19′12″W / 57.446°N 7.320°W |
| Founder | Angus MacMillan |
| Architect | Organic Architects |
| Status | Operational |
| No. of stills | 1 wash 1 spirit |
| Capacity | 350,000 litres a year |
| Website | https://benbeculadistillery.com/ |
Benbecula Distillery is a Scotch whisky distillery at Gramsdale on the Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, Scotland.[1] Developed in a converted salmon-processing plant, the site produced its first spirit in June 2024.[2] The project, founded by islander Angus A MacMillan, includes a glass, lighthouse-style stillroom – echoing the Stevenson Lighthouse on nearby Shillay, Monach Islands[3] – and revives a 19th-century single-malt recipe described by Alfred Barnard.[4] Coverage cites an expected annual capacity of about 350,000 litres of alcohol.[5] It has received support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise[6] as well as from the British Business Bank's Investment Fund for Scotland, with the fund's first investment into the Scottish Highlands and Islands.[7][8]
History
[edit]Plans for a distillery at Gramsdale were announced in 2020 by the Uist Distilling Company, with proposals for single malt whisky, rum and gin production and a visitor facility.[9][10] In 2022 the Uist Distilling Company changed its name to MacMillan Spirits Co Ltd.[11]
Facilities and production
[edit]The distillery occupies a converted industrial site at the northern end of Benbecula.[12] The glass extension houses the copper pot still and the design is the work of Organic Architects.[13][14] Construction was led by local contractor MacInnes Brothers,[15] and equipment was sourced from within the Highlands and Islands.[16] Production uses locally sourced ingredients including bere barley grown on crofts on Benbecula, fertilised with seaweed, with local peat and heather used in the process.[17] Early reports describe an intended "classically maritime" spirit profile.[18] Maturation is in bourbon and sherry wood.[19] Private cask sales will only be available in the first three years of production.[20] First bottling and availability of the whisky is expected in 2029.[21]
People
[edit]Founder Angus A MacMillan led the project with distiller Brendan McCarron engaged in production.[22][23]
References
[edit]- ^ "First spirit flows at Benbecula Distillery". whiskymag.com. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ Greig, Cameron (2024-06-13). "Benbecula Distillery revives 130-year-old single malt recipe". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "Benbecula Distillery". Benbecula Distillery. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Scotland's newest whisky distillery starts up in Outer Hebrides". What's On In Outer Hebrides. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "First spirit flows at Benbecula Distillery – SRFDA". 2024-06-17. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Spirit starts to flow at Benbecula". Dramface. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "Remote Scottish island distillery that only began production in 2024 secures £1.5 million boost". The Scotsman. 2025-10-13. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "'Milestone for island' as distillery secures backing to scale-up production". The Herald. 2025-10-13. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ Mitchell, Jenness (2020-07-30). "Whisky galore: Plans unveiled for £6.5m island distillery". STV News. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "£6.5m distillery planned on Benbecula". Scottish Construction Now. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "MACMILLAN SPIRITS CO. LTD filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
- ^ "Benbecula Distillery". HIE. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Admin, DRAM (2023-03-23). "Distillery 'Lighthouse' in Benbecula tops out". DRAM Scotland. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "£6.5m distillery planned on Benbecula". Scottish Construction Now. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Admin, DRAM (2023-03-23). "Distillery 'Lighthouse' in Benbecula tops out". DRAM Scotland. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Benbecula Distillery". HIE. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Cameron, Greig (2024-06-13). "Benbecula Distillery revives 130-year-old single malt recipe". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Davidson, Gordon (2024-06-30). "First spirit flows at newly established Benbecula Distillery". Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Forbes, Ellie (2024-06-14). "Benbecula Distillery: Spirit flows through island distillery after 130-year-old whisky recipe revived - Scottish Field". Scottish Field. Archived from the original on 2025-05-19. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Benbecula Distillery's Latest Private Cask Offering". whiskyadvocate.com. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Wilson, Kelly (2025-10-13). "Outer Hebrides whisky distillery to create 12 jobs after £1.5m investment boost". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ "Benbecula Distillery secures £1.5m investment from British Business Bank - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News". harpers.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-16.
- ^ Walker, Peter A. (2025-10-13). "Hebridean distillery secures £1.5 million funding". businessInsider. Retrieved 2025-10-16.