£222,860 investment sees Easter Ross social enterprise producing gin

A social enterprise in Dingwall, Easter Ross has started its own gin production as part of a £222,860 investment.

GlenWyvis Distillery was established in 2015 and following an open share offer in 2016 it became Scotland’s first community-owned distillery, now with more than 3,500 investors.

The first distillery to operate in Dingwall for more than 90 years, GlenWyvis commenced whisky distillation in January 2018 with five full time equivalent employees.

The distillery expanded its product range into Scottish craft gin after securing up to £95,830 from development agency, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) towards the purchase of the new gin making equipment.

The HIE funding also supported the development of a fresh and modern identity for the distillery and the development of the GlenWyvis GoodWill gin brand.

Over the next three years, the distillery expansion project is looking to create another three full-time equivalent jobs and increase the company’s turnover by more than £0.5m and international sales by £124,000.

David Taylor, business growth account manager with HIE, said:

“GlenWyvis Distillery is a valuable employer and contributor to the area’s food and drink economy. As a social enterprise it has invested heavily in the business in recent years. These latest plans will take GlenWyvis to the next stage in its growth. It will create jobs, increase the company’s economic impact and make a positive contribution to community resilience. We are very pleased to be able to provide this support and look forward to continuing to work with the company.”

Duncan Tait, distillery manager for GlenWyvis, said:

“We were delighted to secure the funding from HIE to help install our gin equipment and establish the GlenWyvis GoodWill Gin brand. The support we have received from HIE over the past three years has been paramount to the success of our gin and whisky production here in Dingwall. As a community benefit society, we are looking to continue growing our whisky and gin production in the coming years, with our profits being reinvested into worthwhile community projects both locally and further afield.”