Small island off the coast of Skye set to welcome its first legal whisky distiller

After an extensive search, Isle of Raasay has revealed its operations chief, writes Sean Murphy

Asmall island off the east coast of Skye is set to welcome its very first legal whisky distiller as whisky brand R & B get ready to launch their new operation there.

The company have just announced that recent graduate Iain Robertson will take over the reigns of the new distillery on the Isle of Raasay when it opens in September this year.

The search for Raasay’s first legal distiller commenced in January 2017, after construction work began on the site in June 2016, and had spread far and wide, receiving applications from around the globe.

A recent Honours graduate of the Heriot Watt Brewing and Distilling school, Robertson has already gained experience within the industry having taken a placement at North British grain distillery during his studies, as well as working at The Scotch Whisky Experience in the capital as one of their highly knowledgeable tour guides.

The new head distiller was chosen by the brand for not only being formally educated in the art and science of distilling but also for being innovative and enthusiastic about “respectfully pushing the boundaries of the spirit”.

Robertson will soon be relocating to the small island off the west coast of Scotland, where he will join his new team, and become an integral part of the close-knit Raasay community of only 120 inhabitants (as well as a colony of rare bats, otters and voles). He said of his appointment: “I’ve been studying towards a distiller role for four years now and have been interested in the whisky industry since my first dram.

“I’ve watched the journey of Raasay Distillery since early on, so to now be a be part of this is a really exciting opportunity.

“I just can’t wait to get the stills up and running now. The idea of living on a small Hebridean island will be a new adventure. It was always my intention to move up north to work and I think most aspiring distillers expect to end up in fairly remote areas in order to pursue our careers.“

Island resident Jill Westgarth says that though island life can on some occasions be a challenge, it can also be incredibly rewarding and that Raasay is a wonderful community to be a part of, she said: “We’re all really looking forward to welcoming the new distiller to the island.”

0 New distiller Iain Robertson