Our Island
Welcome to Benbecula Distillery, where this summer
the spirit flows from handmade stills on the Uists
for the very first time.
Our new multi-million pound distillery is on
the north of the island, where visitors can
savour the beautiful and uninterrupted views of
pale blue sea where the causeway crosses
into North Uist.
It is a stunning island paradise we are
proud to call home.
Our Island
Welcome to Benbecula Distillery, where this summer the spirit flows from handmade stills on the Uists for the very first time.
Our new multi-million pound distillery is on the north of the island, where visitors can savour the beautiful and uninterrupted views of pale blue sea where the causeway crosses into North Uist.
It is a stunning island paradise we are proud to call home.
Our Story
Benbecula Distillery is the realisation of a
long-held dream for local businessman
and crofter Angus MacMillan.
Angus has spent his life at the heart of this close-knit
Outer Hebridean community, where his family have
lived for generations.
He was one of the founding directors responsible
for South Uist, Eriskay and Benbecula’s historic
community buyout in 2006.
Angus’s entrepreneurial acumen has been
the driving force behind the distillery
you see today.
Our Story
Benbecula Distillery is the realisation of a long-held dream for local businessman and crofter Angus MacMillan.
Angus has spent his life at the heart of this close-knit Outer Hebridean community, where his family have lived for generations.
He was one of the founding directors responsible for South Uist, Eriskay and Benbecula’s historic community buyout in 2006.
Angus’s entrepreneurial acumen has been the driving force behind the distillery you see today.
Our Distillery
There are few places in the world more beautiful
than the island of Benbecula, lying between the
Hebridean islands of North and South Uist.
The island’s new distillery –
previously a salmon processing plant
– makes full use of this spectacular view.
A glass-walled extension in the form of
a lighthouse has been added to the building,
echoing the Stevenson Lighthouse on
the nearby Monach Islands.
It not only houses the distillery’s
handmade copper pot still but also commands
wondrous views of a wild, rolling landscape that
will captivate visitors to this new tourist landmark.
Our Distillery
There are few places in the world more beautiful than the island of Benbecula, lying between the Hebridean islands of North and South Uist.
The island’s new distillery – previously a salmon processing plant – makes full use of this spectacular view.
A glass-walled extension in the form of a lighthouse has been added to the building, echoing the Stevenson Lighthouse on the nearby Monach Islands.
It not only houses the distillery’s handmade copper pot still but also commands wondrous views of a wild, rolling landscape that will captivate visitors to this new tourist landmark.
Our People
Angus MacMillan
Owner and Founder
Born and raised in South Uist, Angus MacMillan has dedicated his career to fostering economic growth and sustainable development in the Outer Hebrides. With a rich history as the former owner of West Minch Salmon Farm, where he led operations for 28 years, Angus has also worked in several international private companies, demonstrating his extensive expertise and leadership in the industry.
As the founder of Benbecula Distillery, he is committed to driving economic development in the Outer Hebrides, creating opportunities that will benefit the region for generations to come. His vision includes showcasing the real potential for young families to live and work in the Outer Hebrides, promoting a vibrant and thriving drinks industry throughout Scotland.
Brendan McCarron
Master Distiller
At the helm of Benbecula Distillery’s whisky creation is Master Distiller Brendan McCarron. One of the most respected names in modern distilling, Brendan’s career spans more than 20 years.
Previous high-profile roles include working as head of maturing whisky stocks at the Glenmorangie Company, and as manager at Oban Distillery and master distiller with Distell, whose brands include Bunnahabhain, Deanston and Tobermory.
Brendan is a true whisky lover. He enjoys nothing more than being in the distillery and seeing the spirit run off the still.
Hector MacLeod
General Manager
Hector MacLeod, a native of Benbecula, brings over 30 years of experience in management positions within the private and third sector, to his new role in the distillery industry. Having previously worked alongside Angus for 15 years in his former business ventures, Hector was delighted to return to the same Gramsdale location on Benbecula, but now with a brand-new distillery on site.
He will have overall responsibility for all operations on site, working closely with the teams in all departments, and liaising with external partners and stakeholders within the industry and beyond.
Hector welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of Benbecula Distillery, and the island community as a whole. From his office window, Hector can see his late grandfather‘s croft house in Uachdar, a reminder of his local roots and commitment to supporting and developing opportunities for future generations.
Mary Margaret Connarty
Distillery Manager
Mary Margaret was also born and raised on Benbecula, growing up in the village of Balivanich. She only left the island to take up full stime studies at the University of Glasgow, achieving a BSC Honours in Medicinal Chemistry, followed by a PhD in Organic Chemistry. Mary Margaret also holds the Diploma in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling.
She then started employment with the North British Distillery Co in 2006, progressing to being appointed laboratory manager in 2017, building up a wealth of knowledge on the distilling process. As Mary Margaret states “my greatest strengths lie in quality evaluation of new make spirit, raw materials and co-products”. These are the strengths and experience Benbecula Distillery will be able to benefit from in the future.
In addition to the above professional qualities, Mary Margaret also brings back to Benbecula her young family, which can only be huge benefit to the community as a whole.
Kenny Maclean
Production Manager
Kenny MacLean joined Benbecula Distillery in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience from a seven-year tenure at Harris Distillery. With a strong background in facilities management and the tech sector, including roles with major telecom companies, Kenny is well-equipped to advise on the distillery’s operations.
As the interim production manager, supporting Mary Mary Margaret as Distillery Manager, Kenny assists in the day-to-day operation of the distillery, ensuring quality control, and advising on production issues.
Hailing from the Isle of Harris, our neighbours to the North, Kenny’s expertise and dedication were instrumental in driving the distillery’s commissioning and maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of production
Graham MacLeod
Distiller
Graham MacLeod, born and raised in Iochdar, South Uist, brings a variety of experience as well as local pride to his role as a distiller. Before joining the distillery, Graham owned a driving school in Glasgow for nine years, and still offers lessons to local youngsters in his spare time. Driven by his ambition to return to his roots, Graham has moved back to Uist to contribute to the distillery’s success.
In his spare time, he enjoys football and running, and has this year played a major role in resurrecting the Benbecula Half Marathon, which will be sponsored by the Distillery. His return to Benbecula embodies his commitment to the local community and his desire to be part of its economic development.
Kayleigh MacVicar
Distiller
Kayleigh MacVicar, from Locheport in North Uist, has been an integral part of the Benbecula Distillery team from the very beginning. She brings with her extensive experience in transportation and logistics, which will be invaluable to the distillery’s operations.
Grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a groundbreaking project, Kayleigh finds immense joy and fulfilment in her work as a distiller. Being part of making history and coming to a job she loves every day has been an incredible experience for her.
Calum Campbell
Distiller
Calum joined the distilling team in autumn 2024, as production increased when the distillery commission phase ended. Calum is another native of Benbecula, indeed having been born and raised within a stone’s throw from the distillery. From his own home, Calum has a bird’s eye view of the distillery, which is quite the sight when the still in the lighthouse is illuminated at night.
Calum brings extensive experience in the building trade to the team, which has been invaluable as the team settled into the distillery building, and as he has picked up new skills in the distilling process. Calum still keeps his hand in on the tools though, not least having recently helped his son build a new house.
Olivia Bunyan
Distiller
Olivia also joined us in the autumn of 2024, as our production expanded. She joined us from her home island of Arran, where she worked with another distillery there, and brings that experience to Benbecula.
Olivia graduated from Heriot Watt University with a BSc degree in Brewing and Distilling. As she stated “During my time at Heriot-Watt University I developed a keen interest in whisky distillation and maturation. I’m also interested in the sustainability of the distilling industry and focussed my literature review on the topic of valorisation of pot ale.”
Olivia enjoys hill walking and running in her own time, as well as kayaking and open water swimming in the crystal-clear waters around Benbecula.
Phil Dale
Distiller
Phil joined us in 2024 as a relief distiller, to provide cover for staff holidays, and to work the number of hours that matched his own work/life preferences. In his previous career, he worked as a chemical plant engineer in Cheshire, England, and has brought many transferrable skills applicable to the distillery process.
Away from his employment, Phil is a very keen crofter, looking after his flock of Hebridean sheep on North Uist.
Jo Murray
Visitor Centre Supervisor
Jo joined the team in October 2024, to help us establish and curate the visitor centre at the distillery. Having moved to the islands in 2024, her previous role was with the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery as an art technician and creative manager, but with responsibilities for other facilities management tasks such as finance and health & safety.
Jo will work with Angus to deliver his vision of a creative and informative space that will celebrate the history, culture and people of the Outer Hebrides, and also work with other local artists to offer a quality display space for their pieces.
Tina Nicholson
Retail & Catering Development Manager
Tina is employed to develop our catering and retail outlet at the Benbecula Distillery Visitor Centre. Angus has tasked Tina to develop a quality offering utilising the best local produce, with excellent customer service, leading to the delivery of a delicious and healthy menu. In addition, she will be establishing the retail outlet that will stock the MacMillan Spirits range of spirits (link to MacMillan Spirits) as well as other local products.
Tina has a broad range of previous experience, including business administration, teaching, as well as a family run sustainable seafood supply company involving their own fishing boat. Tina and her husbands families have a long history of sustainable fishing around our islands, and it is this care and attention to quality that will ensure the best of the best is served at the Distillery.
Our History
To create the whisky of the future, Benbecula
will revisit traditional techniques not seen
in distilling in Scotland for hundreds of years.
They are closely related to Angus MacMillan’s
own family heritage, and the barley
planted on their croft for generations.
Called Bere barley, it has been grown on Uist for centuries.
To Angus, the croft plays a central role
in the planning and conception of the
future Benbecula Single Malt,
with Bere as its core building block.
The Bere barley grows on soil enriched with seaweed
collected from nearby beaches.
The harvested grain is then transferred
from the croft to the malting floors.
The first Bere barley harvest has already
been gathered and stored by Angus himself
and will make its way into the mix
as distillation begins.
This agricultural link between family croft
and distillery is extremely rare
in Scotch whisky production.
It guarantees the spirit created has
an utterly unique, and very distinct character.
Our History
To create the whisky of the future, Benbecula will revisit traditional techniques not seen in distilling in Scotland for hundreds of years.
They are closely related to Angus MacMillan’s own family heritage, and the barley planted on their croft for generations.
Called Bere barley, it has been grown on Uist for centuries.
To Angus, the croft plays a central role in the planning and conception of the future Benbecula Single Malt, with Bere as its core building block.
The Bere barley grows on soil enriched with seaweed collected from nearby beaches. The harvested grain is then transferred from the croft to the malting floors.
The first Bere barley harvest has already been gathered and stored by Angus himself and will make its way into the mix as distillation begins.
This agricultural link between family croft and distillery is extremely rare in Scotch whisky production.
It guarantees the spirit created has an utterly unique, and very distinct character.
Our Sustainability
The team at Benbecula will revive the ancient
and historic tradition of adding
foraged island heather to their peat fires
for kilning the bere barley.
This malting process creates a smooth,
gentle smokiness and sweet,
floral character to the spirit.
This ancient technique will be coupled
with a unique design and distilling process,
which will use low carbon technologies in its
whisky production to minimise
its impact on the environment.
Our Sustainability
The team at Benbecula will revive the ancient and historic tradition of adding foraged island heather to their peat fires for kilning the bere barley.
This malting process creates a smooth, gentle smokiness and sweet, floral character to the spirit.
This ancient technique will be coupled with a unique design and distilling process, which will use low carbon technologies in its whisky production to minimise its impact on the environment.
Our Whisky
Around 350,000 litres of whisky will be produced
at Benbecula Distillery annually, with bourbon and
sherry casks being used in the maturation.
The spirit produced at Benbecula Distillery
will be classically marine in style, smoky on
the nose with salty and sweetly peated notes.
This will be achieved using light to medium peated
malted barley, so that the smoke does not dominate,
and allows fruity and floral notes to shine through.
Each year a special batch of heather peated
bere barley will be produced – a process that
is both innovative and inspired by
traditions of the island.
Benbecula’s unique malting process
was first noted by famous 19th century whisky
historian Alfred Barnard during his tour
of Scottish distilleries in 1885.
Our Whisky
Around 350,000 litres of whisky will be produced at Benbecula Distillery annually, with bourbon and sherry casks being used in the maturation.
The spirit produced at Benbecula Distillery will be classically marine in style, smoky on the nose with salty and sweetly peated notes. This will be achieved using light to medium peated malted barley, so that the smoke does not dominate, and allows fruity and floral notes to shine through.
Each year a special batch of heather peated bere barley will be produced – a process that is both innovative and inspired by traditions of the island.
Benbecula’s unique malting process was first noted by famous 19th century whisky historian Alfred Barnard during his tour of Scottish distilleries in 1885.
Our Members Club
The Benbecula 2024 Society
We want everyone to enjoy a taste of The Spirit of the Hebrides
and this is your chance to do so. We have formed
The Benbecula 2024 Society, allowing whisky lovers
across the globe to be involved in our distillery’s journey.
The Benbecula 2024 Society is open to all. For a one-off membership fee
of £289, you will receive the following benefits:
- Two bottles of the inaugural release (one to keep and one to drink)
- A small Dramtubes sample of our new-make spirit, allowing you to taste
the wonderful base from which our whisky will mature - Unique membership challenge coin
- A personalised membership card
- 5% off all products available at the distillery
and online (excluding casks) - A free distillery tour for the member
and a guest (post-visitor centre opening Spring 2025) - The opportunity to acquire exclusive membership-only
bottlings. These will be released at cask strength. - Quarterly newsletter
TO JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TO
THE BENBECULA 2024 SOCIETY
Our Members Club
The Benbecula 2024 Society
We want everyone to enjoy a taste of The Spirit of the Hebrides and this is your chance to do so. We have formed The Benbecula 2024 Society allowing whisky lovers across the globe to be involved in our distillery’s journey.
The Benbecula 2024 Society is open to all. For a one-off membership fee of £289, you will receive the following benefits:
- Two bottles of the inaugural release (one to keep and one to drink)
- A small Dramtubes sample of our new-make spirit, allowing you to taste the wonderful base from which our whisky will mature
- Unique membership challenge coin
- A personalised membership card
- 5% off all products available at the distillery and online (excluding casks)
- A free distillery tour for the member and a guest (post-visitor centre opening Spring 2025)
- The opportunity to acquire exclusive membership-only bottlings. These will be released at cask strength.
- Quarterly newsletter
TO JOIN OR GIFT A MEMBERSHIP TO
THE BENBECULA 2024 SOCIETY
Our Cask Buyers Club
The Benbecula Comunn
For the first three years since opening, Benbecula Distillery will release cask offerings for purchase so you can be a part of the Benbecula journey. This 2025 offering is the second of the three releases, leaving limited time to be a part of The Spirit of the Hebrides. To secure your cask, we require a £300 deposit.
Cask Options
Each 250L cask will be filled in 2025 at 63.5% ABV.
Palo Cortado Sherry Hogshead (250L) – £8,000
Our Master Distiller, Brendan McCarron, chose his favorite sherry cask to work with: Palo Cortado. After the success of the PX and Oloroso sherry casks in 2024, we will use Palo Cortado as this rare, unusual cask gives a deep and rich flavour, perfect to guide our unique spirit.
Bourbon Hogshead (250L) – £7,250
We will use high-quality, heavily charred American White Oak casks that match the spirit character of Benbecula.
Cask Ownership Benefits
Cask owners will be automatically enrolled into The Benbecula Comunn, an exclusive members club for those choosing to invest in Benbecula Distillery 2025 single malt.
Additional benefits of ownership include:
- Seven years storage in our bonded warehouse
- Insurance cover for a seven-year period
- A specially bottled 25ml sample of our new make spirit, allowing you to taste the base from which our whisky will mature
- Founding Member’s cask certificate and unique membership challenge coin for the Benbecula Comunn
- Free distillery tours for life, including a guest of the cask owner (visitor centre opening Spring 2025)
- 10% discount on all products purchased either online from the distillery or at distillery shop (excluding casks)
- Lunch at the distillery for the cask owner and a guest on their first distillery visit
- Access to limited and special release Benbecula Comunn members-only bottlings
- Quarterly newsletter
For any queries, please contact casks@benbeculadistillery.com. Click below for more information and to reserve your cask.
Our Cask Buyers Club
The Benbecula Comunn
For the first three years since opening, Benbecula Distillery will release cask offerings for purchase so you can be a part of the Benbecula journey. This 2025 offering is the second of the three releases, leaving limited time to be a part of The Spirit of the Hebrides. To secure your cask, we require a £300 deposit.
Cask Options
Each 250L cask will be filled in 2025 at 63.5% ABV.
Palo Cortado Sherry Hogshead (250L) – £8,000
Our Master Distiller, Brendan McCarron, chose his favorite sherry cask to work with: Palo Cortado. After the success of the PX and Oloroso sherry casks in 2024, we will use Palo Cortado as this rare, unusual cask gives a deep and rich flavour, perfect to guide our unique spirit.
Bourbon Hogshead (250L) – £7,250
We are using high-quality, heavily charred American White Oak casks that will match the spirit character of Benbecula.
Cask Ownership Benefits
Cask owners will be automatically enrolled into The Benbecula Comunn, an exclusive members club for those choosing to invest in Benbecula Distillery 2025 single malt.
Additional benefits of ownership include:
- Seven years storage in our bonded warehouse
- Insurance cover for a seven-year period
- A specially bottled 25ml sample of our new make spirit, allowing you to taste the base from which our whisky will mature
- Founding Member’s cask certificate and unique membership challenge coin for the Benbecula Comunn
- Free distillery tours for life, including a guest of the cask owner (visitor centre opening Spring 2025)
- 10% discount on all products purchased either online from the distillery or at distillery shop (excluding casks)
- Lunch at the distillery for the cask owner and a guest on their first distillery visit
- Access to limited and special release Benbecula Comunn members-only bottlings
- Quarterly newsletter
For any queries, please contact casks@benbeculadistillery.com. Click below for more information and to reserve your cask.
Our News
Benbecula Distillery Breaks Guinness World Record at Dubai Whisky Festival
Benbecula Distillery, a new whisky producer from the Outer Hebrides, made headlines at the Dubai Whisky Festival by sponsoring a Guinness World Record for the most nationalities in a whisky masterclass, led by Master Distiller Brendan McCarron. The event showcased the distillery’s unique spirit, fostering global whisky appreciation.
A true taste of Benbecula as first spirit starts to flow at Scotland’s newest single malt whisky distillery
Distillery Tours
Tours of the distillery will be starting in Spring 2025. To register interest please email info@benbeculadistillery.com
