A gin on the Crocodile Rocks as islanders plan distillery in Millport
Pub quiz team launch fundraising drive to create signature tipple
Islanders living in a famous holiday destination are raising funds for their own gin distillery.
Five women, brought together by a shared love of the idyllic Firth of Clyde island, hatched their plan for the Cumbrae business at a quiz night in the Twa Dugs pub in Millport.
The group launched its fundraising campaign last week on World Cocktail Day and is now well on its way to reaching the £10,000 target by World Gin Day on June 13.
Philippa Dalton admits none of her fellow entrepreneurs has any experience with gin – other than drinking it – but they hope to make a product the island can be proud of.
“The idea came about by accident,” she recalled. “We didn’t all know each other, but we were together for the quiz last August.
“The conversation got round to the restoration of the town hall, and how the people behind that thought that something like a gin distillery could be used to bolster funds.”
The wheels were put in motion and the group quickly hatched a business plan. The
crowdfunder will allow them to purchase the still that forms the heart of the distillery, and to create a product that celebrates the culture and history of Cumbrae. “We’re a bit of a mixed
bag. There isn’t a Scot amongst us,” added Philippa, who retired to the island from Yorkshire with her husband in 2018.
“We have a Canadian, an American and a couple of
Yorkshire lasses.” A percentage of the distillery’s profits will be reinvested in community projects on the island, which has population of 1,500, and the group also hopes to provide employment and training opportunities, and attract student interns.
Philippa added: “We’ve had a lot of interest from local people, who are quite keen on having a distillery. It’s a gin that’s theirs.
“We’re very excited about it, but there’s a lot to do. We don’t expect to be making massive batches. This will be a craft, small-batch distillery.
“We have things planned for the shop, including T-shirts, coasters and things like that.
“We also have a brilliant chocolatier on the island who’ll be creating truffles using our gin.”