Benbecula Distillery

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]

Benbecula Distillery

Region: Island
Location	Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Coordinates	57.446°N 7.320°W / 57.446; -7.320
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/

Isle of Benbecula shown within the Outer Hebrides

History

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

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

Founder Angus A MacMillan led the project with distiller Brendan McCarron engaged in production.^[22][23]