Isle of Harris Distillers secures £10m to expand

Scotland’s Isle of Harris Distillers has agreed a £10 million (US$12.1m) funding package to expand globally.

The funds from HSBC UK bank will be used to extend distribution of its flagship gin and its inaugural single malt whisky, Heacrach, once launched, to more than 20 international markets. The company is planning to enter the US, Canada, France and Germany.

The funds have also allowed the gin producer to build two new warehouses, located two miles from its Tarbert-based distillery on the Isle of Harris, the largest island in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.

The additional 2,000-square-metre warehouse space has the capacity to hold 9,000 casks, equivalent to around 2.75m bottles of spirit.

Ron MacEachran, executive chairman and chief financial officer of Isle of Harris Distillers, said: “As a business focused on the future, we’re excited to venture into new markets and expand our international footprint – and to introduce more of the world to the bottled spirit from our special island.

“We’re delighted that HSBC UK has supported us in our ambitions to grow our business. Achieving ongoing commercial success stimulates global interest and visitors to this beautiful island, assisting it to survive and flourish in the 21st century.”

The distillery was established in 2015 and is one of the island’s largest employers with 45 workers.

Neal Tully, relationship director at HSBC UK, added: “Scotland’s food and drink industry is thriving on the Isle of Harris. The distillery is a great example of a dedicated and robust Scottish business, which has put itself on the map, not only in Scotland, but on a global scale too.”

Isle of Harris Gin grabbed a Gold medal in this year’s Gin Masters blind tasting and the top Master accolade for its bottle in The Design & Packaging Masters 2021.