Rosebank Distillery to axe jobs
Ian Macleod Distillers is planning to cut jobs at Rosebank due to low visitor numbers, just 15 months after opening the Lowlands distillery.
The Scottish spirits company behind Edinburgh Gin announced it had made the “difficult decision” to review its staffing levels at Falkirk-based Rosebank Distillery.
Ian Macleod Distillers said the planned job cuts were in response to “challenging trading conditions, the softening of the global whisky market and other external factors”, including “lower than anticipated” visitor numbers.
The distillery refused to comment on how many roles it is considering cutting and has not yet confirmed if production or jobs in this area will be impacted.
Known as the ‘king of the Lowlands’, Rosebank reopened to the public on 7 June last year after laying dormant since 1993. Ian Macleod spent four years restoring the whisky distillery and had secured an £80 million (US$105m) refinancing package in 2017 to support its revival.
Stuart Hendry, brand homes director for Rosebank Distillery, said the company had decided to cut its opening hours to “better suit demand” and “safeguard future business”.
He explained: “As part of these proposed changes, the roles of are also being reviewed, and it is with a heavy heart that we delivered this difficult update to members of the Rosebank brand home team. None of this is a reflection on their commitment or contribution, which we value and appreciate.
“Some of our colleagues will be impacted by the proposed changes and this is a sensitive process. We are handling matters with the compassion, dignity and respect that they deserve. We are fully and properly supporting everyone involved at this difficult time.
“Proposing to adjust our business model now will allow long-term growth.”
He noted that Rosebank would remain open to visitors all year-round and will continue to distil whisky. Whisky production at the site began in July 2023.
‘Insufficient’ footfall
Hendry added that the business would continue to work with other local attractions, Falkirk Council, VisitScotland, and VisitBritain to “promote Falkirk as a tourism destination”.
He described the site, which includes a gift shop, as a “standout whisky destination” that has received five-star reviews.
“We have seen growing success with international visitors and coach groups,” Hendry continued. “Our concentrated marketing campaigns have focused on attracting independent tourists to Falkirk from nearby tourism hotspots such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, but visitor numbers are lower than anticipated and hoped.
“This, combined with the level of tourism footfall from passing visitors in Falkirk, is insufficient to sustain our current operating model.”
The distillery offers two 90-minute tours, Rosebank Reawakening (£25/US$34 per person) and Rosebank Rekindled (£95/US$128). It also hosts a 75-minute Rosebank Discovered tour for £50 (US$67) per person, Rosebank Revered (a three-hour experience for £300/US$404), and The Residency: Tamdhu (a 90-minute tour for £110/US$148).
Earlier this year, Rosebank appointed former Bladnoch head of distilling Neil Bulloch as its distillery manager.
In addition to Rosebank, Ian Macleod operates two other whisky distilleries: Glengoyne in the Highlands and Speyside-based Tamdhu. It also produces Smokehead, a single malt whisky from an undisclosed Islay distillery.
The company is planning to build a new whisky distillery in Islay, called Laggan Bay, with the aim of completing it this year.
Last December, Ian Macleod opened its new Edinburgh Gin Distillery, featuring a roof terrace, a bar and two 2,000-litre bespoke copper stills.
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