Island distillery teams up with local trust for rewilding forest project
ASCOTTISH distillery has partnered with a community trust to support a rewilding project. Tobermory Distillery has teamed up with the Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) – with the support of wildlife cameraman and television presenter Gordon Buchanan – to work on the long-term conservation and restoration of the Ardura Forest.
The trust is focused on regenerating, protecting and enhancing the Ardura’s biodiversity to face the threats of climate change, as part of a more-than-20-year project.
The distillery has released a new limited-edition whisky with MICT and Buchanan – who grew up on Mull – making a donation from the production to the organisation.
An ancient oak wood and part of the Atlantic rainforest, Ardura is one of Scotland’s most precious habitats and home to pine martens and redstarts as well as iconic birds of prey such as eagles and hen harriers.
Buchanan, who works as the island’s ambassador, said: “Mull really has been a key inspiration in my life, the first steps on a path which has taken me to incredible places worldwide.
“While I definitely have to thank the landscapes, wildlife and people for encouraging me to turn my passion into a career, the distillery has been a focal point for my entire family.
“Working in partnership through my role as Tobermory Distillery’s island ambassador to give back to Mull by creating an incredible whisky that will benefit future generations brings together the most important things to me.”
The dram is made up of three classic single malts, each matured in three separate casks to represent the three partners who have come together for the project.
Moray Finch, MICT general manager, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Tobermory Distillery on our longterm vision to regenerate Ardura Community Forest.
“With support from Tobermory Distillery we’ll be collecting seeds and growing native trees and scrubs to plant in Ardura alongside removing non-native, rhododendron and sitka spruce trees from the site. “These management actions will create new homes, shelter and food sources for the forest animals, birds and insects. As well as enabling the natural regeneration of the forest ground flora, creating more space and light for flowers and ferns to grow. “Together we will help nature survive and thrive once again in this special place.” The distillery has also unveiled Tobermory 26, the penultimate release of its Tobermory Hebridean Series, launched in 2021, a collection of five limited edition releases each inspired by unique influences from their distillery home on the Isle of Mull. Julieann Fernandez, master blender at Tobermory Distillery, said: “Crafting expressions which not only take inspiration from, but also give back to, the community which has contributed to every drop of our whisky is such an honour for a master blender, and I could think of no better partners than Gordon and the Mull and Iona Community Trust to make this dream a reality.”