Benbecula Distillery gains £1.5m
Scotland’s Benbecula Distillery has secured £1.5 million (US$2m) in investment to scale up production and expand its team.
Located in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, Benbecula Distillery secured the funds through the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland, delivered by Maven Capital Partners.
The investment will support the distillery’s whisky maturation process and expand its workforce.
Angus MacMillan, who founded Benbecula Distillery in 2024, said: “Securing this investment is a major milestone for us and for the island. It gives us the ability to scale production with confidence, continue creating skilled jobs locally, and develop visitor experiences that bring people closer to our story.
“Most importantly, it allows us to keep laying down spirit for future generations. Benbecula Distillery was founded to celebrate the Outer Hebrides’ people and place and this backing helps us realise that vision.”
Whisky production is led by master distiller Brendan McCarron, who has previously worked for Diageo, The Glenmoragnie Company and Distell. He launched his own spirits consultancy in 2023 and recently joined The Lakes Distillery as its whisky maker.
The deal follows the launch of Benbecula’s second private cask offering, which spans three varieties: Palo Cortado hogsheads, red wine barriques and Bourbon barrels.
Launched in October 2023, the £150m (US$200m) Investment Fund for Scotland aims to improve access to finance and boost the Scottish economy, with loans ranging from £25,000 (US$33,343) to £2m (US$2.7m) and equity investment up to £5m (US$6.7m) available to support small and medium-sized businesses.
Sarah Newbould, senior investment manager for Nations and Regions Investment Funds at the British Business Bank, added: “This investment will not only fuel the development of a distinctive whisky brand but also drive job creation and economic growth in the Outer Hebrides, inviting locals and visitors from further afield to visit the Isles and try some of Scotland’s best spirit.
“The distillery team’s dedication to its craft and local impact mirrors our mission to help smaller businesses succeed and we are eager to see where they take the brand next.”
Benbecula became the first official whisky distillery on the island of Benbecula when it launched in 2024, following an investment of more than £12m (US$16m). Whisky production began last spring, with the first bottlings expected to hit the market in 2029.
The distillery’s visitor centre and café opened in April 2025.
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