To visit our website, you must be of an age at which the purchase and consumption of alcohol is permitted according to the legislation in your country of residence. If there are no laws on this matter then you must be at least 18 years old.

This year, we’re celebrating Gillian and her 20th anniversary with Isle of Arran Distillers.

From supporting private cask owners through their whisky journey to witnessing the growth of Lochranza Distillery over the past two decades, Gillian has seen plenty of change - and been a special part of it.

For Gillian, it’s the people, the community and the connection to the Island that make Arran so special. And after twenty years of not being a whisky drinker, she may have finally found her dram of choice... 

We sat down with Gillian to reflect on her time at the company, her favourite memories and what she’s most excited to see in the next chapter.

Tell us about your role at Isle of Arran Distillers

I am currently the Bulk Stock and Cask Sales Manager looking after our Private Cask owners and Bulk Cask Sales, working closely with customers and cask owners.

When I joined in 2006, my role was mainly administration and database work, with a much smaller number of cask owners. Over the years as, the business has grown, my role has evolved considerably. I now spend much more time dealing directly with customers and cask owners, helping them throughout their cask ownership journey. It’s a much busier role now, and no two days are ever the same.

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing a cask owner bottle their own whisky from their cask, knowing that I've played a part in their journey. It’s been fantastic to be part of the company's growth and to reflect on how much the role has developed over the years.

What’s your favourite memory from the last twenty years?

 I don’t have one particular favourite memory. For me, it’s the moments when I see a cask owner bottle their cask and they're absolutely delighted with it. Knowing that I've helped them along the way and played a small part in getting them to that point is really rewarding. Seeing their excitement and pride makes it all worthwhile.

I've also had the pleasure of working with a few celebrity and VIP cask owners over the years, which is always really exciting. I love the fact that they choose us to purchase their cask from. Of course I generally can't name names - but working with Ewan MacGregor to raise £135k for charity with his private cask has been a real highlight in our private cask story. 

What does Lochranza Distillery mean to you?

The Distillery means a lot to me, both personally and professionally. My Dad lived on the Isle of Arran as a young lad and my Mum and Dad took us over for holidays when I was growing up, so the island has always held a special place in my heart. When I saw the job advertised twenty years ago it immediately meant something to me because of that family connection.

Having spent twenty years with Isle of Arran Distillers, the company has become a big part of my life.  Although I'm based at the Mainland office in Stirling, and don’t get over to the island as often as I'd like, I am in daily contact with my colleagues at both Lochranza and Lagg Distilleries.

What makes it so special is the people - the fantastic teams at both distilleries, the mainland office and all the customers and cask owners I've got to know over the years.  There is a real sense of community and I feel very lucky to be part of a business with such a strong connection to the island.

When I do get to visit, its always lovely to be back on the Isle of Arran and catch up with everyone in person.

What’s changed most at Lochranza Distillery over the last twenty years?

The biggest change has definitely been how much the business has grown.

When I first started, things were on a much smaller scale and my own role was mainly focused on administration and database work.  We now have a much larger customer base and business has expanded considerably.

It’s amazing to look back and see how far we've come. Our whisky has become much more recognised and with the growth of the business and the addition of Lagg Distillery, there is a real sense of excitement about where we`re going next.

Twenty years ago, I don’t think I could have imagined just how much my own role would change. It’s been a fantastic journey to part of and I am proud to have been here to see it happen.

What’s your favourite Arran dram?

This might be surprising to learn!  Although I've developed a keen interest in the product due to my whole career being centred in the industry - I joined Diageo straight from school and worked in various roles for 17 years - I've never actually been a whisky drinker. So choosing a favourite dram has always been a difficult one! But I recently sampled our 30 Year Old Arran Single Malt and absolutely loved it. I think I might finally be converted - after twenty years, it was probably about time!

What excites you most about the future of whisky?

What excites me most is seeing how much more people are interested in whisky and how adventurous they've become.  There are so many different cask types and finishes to be explored and it’s exciting to see what can be created. 

I think Scotch Whisky is in a really exciting position with such strong heritage and an excellent reputation around the world. International whiskies are also growing and bringing new ideas into the industry which generate refreshing challenges for all of us. Its great to see whisky continuing to grow and attract new audiences.

I am particularly excited to see what the next generation of Arran Single Malt will bring and I'm thrilled to continue being part of that journey. After 20 years, its lovely to still feel that there's so much more to come.