Latest news with #IsleofHarrisDistillery
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scotch whisky distillery dream and what matters most now
All the way from when I started covering the dream of a Scotch whisky distillery on Harris, years before it came to fruition with its 2015 opening, Mr Erlanger has been a constant. I spoke to the Scotch industry veteran in the early days about the aspiration of US-born musicologist Anderson Bakewell to build a distillery on Harris, and about the drive to raise funding for it. Mr Erlanger was passionate about the vision, and did a great job of ensuring the funding was secured for the project. This appeared throughout to be a labour of love, and it was also clearly a very major undertaking. In an article in May 2012 in The Herald, I wrote: 'Potential funders of the first ever legal Scotch whisky distillery on Harris have expressed interest in putting up about one-third of the £10 million investment required, the managing director-designate of the project has revealed. 'Simon Erlanger, a former sales and marketing director of Scotch whisky distiller Glenmorangie, told The Herald that a total of £10m would be required to build the distillery at Tarbert and to provide the working capital to cover costs, including barley and barrels, ahead of first revenues. 'He hopes to raise this money from the private and public sector within a 'matter of months', to enable construction of the distillery to start in early 2013 and operations to start by summer 2014.' The distillery opened its doors in September 2015 - a little later than planned back in the spring of 2012 but a very impressive feat nonetheless. A couple of years later, I had the pleasure of travelling to Harris to interview Mr Erlanger. By that time, the distillery was in full swing with its award-winning Isle of Harris gin. The spirit that would become The Hearach single-malt Scotch whisky, named after the Gaelic word for a native of Harris, was maturing in the barrels. Read more And what was probably most striking was the importance of the employment the distillery had brought to Harris, with Mr Bakewell's vision realised. Mr Erlanger told me in 2017: 'It was his vision to do something to stem that population decline [on Harris]. 'He didn't come from the [Scotch whisky] industry. It took someone from outside the industry to come up with the idea. He just had this feeling that distilleries tend to last for generations, rather than [being] short-term ventures.' By August 2023, as Isle of Harris Distillery prepared to launch The Hearach the following month with major growth ambitions to swiftly double the size of the enterprise to a near-£8 million annual turnover business, it employed 45 local people. This was around double what had been promised. Mr Erlanger noted at that stage the impending millionth bottle of gin milestone for the distillery and the approaching launch date for The Hearach, and said: 'We talk about this as being the end of the beginning. We now go into a different momentum, a different era. In a way, we have gone through a lot of growing pains [with] a very inexperienced team. 'We have 45 local people now, which is double what we said we would deliver.' Executive chairman Ron MacEachran observed at that stage that one-third of this workforce was under 30. Like the broader Scotch whisky sector, Isle of Harris Distillery has sadly encountered tougher trading conditions in recent times. Read more In April, it announced 'deeply regrettable' plans for redundancies 'in a move to safeguard the future' of the business. When these job cuts were announced, Mr Erlanger said: 'In a move to safeguard the future of our business, we are introducing a restructuring programme which will see reduced production and workforce at the distillery. 'Much like our colleagues in the wider spirits industry, we are facing challenging headwinds which have led to some incredibly difficult decisions. Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost-reduction target. It is deeply regrettable we find ourselves in this situation and would like to take the opportunity to thank our entire team, particularly those affected by the changes, for their dedication and contribution to the business.' It seemed clear that Mr Erlanger, and also Mr MacEachran when I interviewed him that day, were acutely aware of the effect of these job losses on the workforce and the island community. Asked by The Herald last week about the outcome of the redundancy programme, a spokeswoman for Isle of Harris Distillers said that 18 staff had 'chosen to take voluntary redundancy earlier this year, with the company supporting them to find employment elsewhere'. While it is clearly a positive that compulsory redundancies were avoided, no one should underestimate the impact of these job losses on people and their families, and on Harris. However, we should also not lose sight of the fact that this distillery, built from scratch, still employs 31 people, including four seasonal staff. This is crucial employment for these workers and their families, and for Harris. Mr MacEachran last week highlighted his confidence in the future. Declaring 'change provides us with an opportunity for renewed growth', he said: 'Recent weeks have seen the pink ceilidh bottle sell out in just 45 minutes, showing ongoing demand for the premium gin we produce here on the island. "Alongside this we have recently successfully launched global travel retail products - The Hearach croft strength malt whisky and Isle of Harris gin tidal strength - allowing consumers to sample a taste of Harris in new and different ways. New listings also continue to be achieved in Scotland, London and further afield, while new product innovation continues on island.' Mr MacEachran, when asked at the time the redundancy programme was announced in the spring if the workforce could rise again in the future, said: 'It is too early to say but one would hope that if the business was back on a growth journey that would mean more employment.' Whatever the future holds - hopefully it will be prosperity - Mr Erlanger's crucial role in creating what has been built must be recognised for the great achievement that it is. Isle of Harris Distillers highlighted the vital part played by Mr Erlanger when it announced his retirement last week. It said: 'Simon has been instrumental in the success of the business since its inception. Under his leadership, the distillery has established two well-respected international spirits brands and has laid the foundations to achieve its purpose of providing multi-generational employment for the Isle of Harris. The board would like to thank Simon for all he has achieved and for his dedication to the company and the island.' Mr Erlanger has achieved so much, and with great passion. What is so important now as Isle of Harris Distillers moves on to a new chapter is that it prospers over the long term and continues to provide such valuable jobs on Harris, enabling people to stay rather than being forced to move away because of a lack of employment.
Scotsman
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Isle of Harris Distillery unveils ‘stunning' pink ceilidh bottle inspired by island flora - price and how to buy
The Isle of Harris Distillery has unveiled a limited release of handcrafted ceramic Cèilidh Bottles, presenting the distillery's celebrated gin in a stunning vessel glazed in a vibrant 'Sea Thrift Pink' hue. Launching at 10am on 16 July to coincide with the first day of HebCelt Festival, just 1,500 handcrafted bottles will be available online in the UK, with a limited number also available within the Distillery's Tarbert shop and the HebCelt festival shop on 16 and 17 July. The newest pink shade represents the third edition within the annual Cèilidh Bottle series, building on a palette that captures the essence of the island's coastal environment and its rich natural landscape. The soft pink glaze takes its cue from the delicate sea thrift which pop up on the shoreline rocks of Harris each summer with abundant 'pom-pom' shaped petals and a sweet nectar which is much-loved by the local bumble bees. Each ceramic bottle has been hand-thrown by potter Rupert Blamire, in a process that spans months and requires meticulous care, allowing for small variances between each bottle that make each a one-of-a-kind piece of art. The design evokes the signature maritime swirls of the original glass bottle in a medium that can be displayed, refilled or reused for years to come. The recommended serve for this release is a Grapefruit Gimlet – a fresh, citrus-forward cocktail that complements the Isle of Harris Gin's signature maritime notes and serves as a natural match for the bottle's Sea Thrift Pink glaze. Simon Erlanger, managing director of Isle of Harris Distillery, said: 'We're proud to continue our Cèilidh Bottle tradition with a colour that can be found across our coastlines this time of year. 'Sea thrift is a tough little plant with a striking pink bloom, known for its ability to survive harsh conditions and burst back to life each summer – a beautiful representation of life on this island for those who proudly call Harris home.' The pink Cèilidh Bottle will be debuted at this year's HebCelt Festival held annually in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, attracting a global audience as the largest celebration of Celtic music and culture in the Outer Hebrides. Following a successful partnership in 2024, the Isle of Harris Distillery will return to the festival with the Isle of Harris Gin Cèilidh Tent, featuring a curated line-up of talented contemporary trad musicians from across Scotland, cèilidh dancing, and a selection of premium 'Cèilidh Cocktails', as well as the distillery's acclaimed Hearach single malt. At a half-standard 350ml in size, the Harris Cèilidh Bottle is ideal to present and pour, helping to better enjoy an evening among old friends and family. Online orders will arrive in a gorgeous box full of colour, embossing and Harris Cèilidh storytelling. The Sea Thrift Pink Cèilidh Bottle will be available from 10am on Wednesday 16 July at the Harris Distillery website within the UK and at the distillery shop in Tarbert for £53 RRP.
Scotsman
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Isle of Harris Distillery unveils ‘stunning' pink ceilidh bottle inspired by island flora - price and how to buy
The Isle of Harris Distillery has unveiled a limited release of handcrafted ceramic Cèilidh Bottles, presenting the distillery's celebrated gin in a stunning vessel glazed in a vibrant 'Sea Thrift Pink' hue. Launching at 10am on 16 July to coincide with the first day of HebCelt Festival, just 1,500 handcrafted bottles will be available online in the UK, with a limited number also available within the Distillery's Tarbert shop and the HebCelt festival shop on 16 and 17 July. The newest pink shade represents the third edition within the annual Cèilidh Bottle series, building on a palette that captures the essence of the island's coastal environment and its rich natural landscape. The soft pink glaze takes its cue from the delicate sea thrift which pop up on the shoreline rocks of Harris each summer with abundant 'pom-pom' shaped petals and a sweet nectar which is much-loved by the local bumble bees. Each ceramic bottle has been hand-thrown by potter Rupert Blamire, in a process that spans months and requires meticulous care, allowing for small variances between each bottle that make each a one-of-a-kind piece of art. The design evokes the signature maritime swirls of the original glass bottle in a medium that can be displayed, refilled or reused for years to come. The recommended serve for this release is a Grapefruit Gimlet – a fresh, citrus-forward cocktail that complements the Isle of Harris Gin's signature maritime notes and serves as a natural match for the bottle's Sea Thrift Pink glaze. Simon Erlanger, managing director of Isle of Harris Distillery, said: 'We're proud to continue our Cèilidh Bottle tradition with a colour that can be found across our coastlines this time of year. 'Sea thrift is a tough little plant with a striking pink bloom, known for its ability to survive harsh conditions and burst back to life each summer – a beautiful representation of life on this island for those who proudly call Harris home.' The pink Cèilidh Bottle will be debuted at this year's HebCelt Festival held annually in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, attracting a global audience as the largest celebration of Celtic music and culture in the Outer Hebrides. Following a successful partnership in 2024, the Isle of Harris Distillery will return to the festival with the Isle of Harris Gin Cèilidh Tent, featuring a curated line-up of talented contemporary trad musicians from across Scotland, cèilidh dancing, and a selection of premium 'Cèilidh Cocktails', as well as the distillery's acclaimed Hearach single malt. At a half-standard 350ml in size, the Harris Cèilidh Bottle is ideal to present and pour, helping to better enjoy an evening among old friends and family. Online orders will arrive in a gorgeous box full of colour, embossing and Harris Cèilidh storytelling. The Sea Thrift Pink Cèilidh Bottle will be available from 10am on Wednesday 16 July at the Harris Distillery website within the UK and at the distillery shop in Tarbert for £53 RRP.
The Herald Scotland
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Why Scotch whisky distillery job cuts so difficult for island
His tone contrasted with that of many corporate leaders I have interviewed over the years who seem to simply not think about, or worse not care about, people as they talk about things having to be done for 'the business'. Of course, many business leaders I have spoken to thankfully do grasp the fact that 'the business' would not exist as an entity without the people in it. My conversation with Mr MacEachran left me in no doubt that the Isle of Harris Distillery management team is acutely aware of the profound effects of the decision that has been made about redundancies on the workforce. This was no surprise to me, given a clear founding purpose of the distillery was to provide sustainable employment for a fragile island community and also my past conversations with management. The distillery's current workforce of 45 is significantly higher than what was envisioned would be possible over the years in which those behind it worked to turn the dream of creating it into a reality. All of this will probably not be of much comfort to those affected by the redundancy process. And there is no doubt that it is lamentable that the chill being faced by the broader Scotch whisky industry, which had for so long enjoyed such good times, has affected Isle of Harris Distillery's business in a way which has led management to see no alternative but to make job cuts. I covered the Isle of Harris Distillery story for years before the venture opened in 2015 - including the vision and fundraising - and have continued to write about it ever since. In conversations with managing director Simon Erlanger over that long period, his passion over the creation of the distillery and crucially the employment on the island it has enabled has come across strongly. A visit to the distillery in the autumn of 2017, during which I interviewed Mr Erlanger and spoke to some of the employees, reinforced in my mind just how important the jobs created by the distillery are to the island community. Read more I was, in any case, well aware of this, from covering remote and island communities a long number of years ago when working for The Oban Times, and from having in my role at The Herald written about many businesses operating in areas where labour markets are fragile. Isle of Harris Distillery has enjoyed many successes over the years. Its gin not only provided crucial cash flow while the distillery waited for its single malt Scotch whisky, The Hearach, to be ready, but also won many awards. Many people will be familiar with the distinctive Isle of Harris gin bottle. The Hearach, named after the Gaelic word for a native of Harris, was launched in autumn 2023. In summer 2023, just ahead of the launch, Mr Erlanger told me: 'We talk about this as being the end of the beginning. We now go into a different momentum, a different era. In a way, we have gone through a lot of growing pains [with] a very inexperienced team. 'We have 45 local people now, which is double what we said we would deliver.' Mr MacEachran noted then that one-third of this workforce was under 30. The distillery, which is owned by private investors, has worked hard on forming lasting bonds with its customer base. And many of its customers have been inspired to travel to Harris as a result. Mr Erlanger last week described the planned redundancies as 'deeply regrettable', characterising the decision as 'a move to safeguard the future' of the business. He said: 'We are introducing a restructuring programme which will see reduced production and workforce at the distillery. 'Much like our colleagues in the wider spirits industry, we are facing challenging headwinds which have led to some incredibly difficult decisions. Following a number of cost-cutting measures, voluntary redundancy is being offered to staff in the first instance, with compulsory to follow thereafter if we do not fulfil our cost reduction target. It is deeply regrettable we find ourselves in this situation and would like to take the opportunity to thank our entire team, particularly those affected by the changes, for their dedication and contribution to the business.' Mr MacEachran told The Herald last week that the business was now having to move from two shifts to one shift a day in its distillation. Read more He said: 'We have taken the desperately sad decision to reduce our cost base further. It is without doubt the saddest day in the distillery's young life. It is essential to allow us to navigate through these difficult times." Mr MacEachran emphasised that every effort had been made to avoid job losses, with other expenditure such as advertising and promotion cut and capital spending deferred. He said of the job cuts: "We have where we can reduced other costs. This is the very last area. We have tried to avoid it. It is now essential." Mr MacEachran highlighted the distillery's conclusion that the challenges being faced were not viewed as 'very short term', and appeared at pains to point out that the decision to cut jobs would not have been taken if they had been seen that way, Mr Erlanger said: 'We remain true to our founding purpose as a sustainable, multi-generational firm built to support the community for many years to come. The regrettable measures now being taken are necessary to help fulfil that long-term vision.' The distillery has declined to specify the number of redundancies being sought while discussions with staff are ongoing. Asked last week if he had any idea at this stage whether there would be enough volunteers to avoid compulsory redundancies, Mr MacEachran replied: "We have to wait and see. I have no understanding of that at this point." He emphasised not only the recent efforts to try to avoid job losses but also the broader context. Mr MacEachran said: 'What we have seen across the industry in recent months are significant reductions in A and P (advertising and promotion) expenditure, headcount reductions, some of them very significant, slowing down of distillation or mothballing of distilleries." While noting the challenges were expected to persist over the medium term, Mr MacEachran expressed hopes that, when the market conditions improved, the distillery might be able to increase the size of its workforce again. This came across as a passionately held wish. It is important to be realistic and bear in mind the emphasis from management of the enduring nature of the challenges currently being faced. And the scale of the impact of these challenges on the distillery and crucially its workforce must be recognised. However, when this difficult chapter comes to an end, we must hope there will be better times again for the distillery, its workforce and the Harris community.
The Herald Scotland
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Distillery takes 'desperately sad decision' to cut jobs
The Isle of Harris Distillery said it is "deeply regrettable". A consultation is under way. (Image: Isle of Harris Distillery) Simon Erlanger, managing director of the distillery, pointed headwinds faced by the distillery and others in the industry. The distillery, which produces The Hearach single malt Scotch whisky and Isle of Harris gin, currently employs 45 people. Mr Erlanger told The Herald: "In a move to safeguard the future of our business, today we are introducing a restructuring programme which will see reduced production and workforce at the distillery." Read Ian McConnell's exclusive story here Shopping park next to new 2,700-home development for sale The retail park is now on the market. (Image: Galbraith) A Scottish retail park has been put on the market for sale. The park is in a "highly prominent position" and next to a major redevelopment site. Galbraith said Seafield Retail Park in Edinburgh comprises a terrace of three retail warehouse units, a stand-alone retail warehouse and a stand-alone drive-thru restaurant which has been sold on a long lease to McDonald's. The agent said the stand-alone retail warehouse has recently been subdivided into two drive-to food units and 12 EV charging stations have been created in the car park. The terrace provides accommodation for Halfords, Connection Flooring and McGuirks Golf, which is currently fitting out. Read Brian Donnelly's story here Scotch whisky is a family affair for Isle of Raasay chief Whisky is a family affair for Isle of Raasay chief. (Image: Peter Sandground) Scotch whisky is very much a family affair for Alasdair Day. The former food industry chief executive is the co-founder of Isle of Raasay Distillery, which released its inaugural single malt in late 2020. But his family connections to the industry stretch back all the way to 1820, when his great grandfather, Richard Day, joined a company called J&A Davidson in Coldstream. Alasdair took his own first steps in the industry in 2009, when he recreated the recipe of one of the whiskies his great grandfather produced for J&A Davidson between 1899 and 1916. Read Scott Wright's Q&A here AROUND THE GREENS For the love of golf's hickory history The workshop is celebrating its first anniversary. (Image: Hickory Golf Workshop) This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Previously employed in the financial services sector, Stuart Fraser set up his artisan clubmaking business as part-time gig during the Covid lockdowns and gave up his day job in November 2023 after finding a permanent home for the operation. The Hickory Golf Workshop is now celebrating its first anniversary, having restored more than 500 clubs to their former glory. It is opening the 2025 season with a new hickory-era golf ball making experience, along with the addition of traditional plus fours and bunnets for visitors to try on. Mr Fraser describes the workshop experience as a combination of "Scottish history, traditional craftsmanship, and storytelling with the chance to handle and play with authentic hickory-shafted clubs".
