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Our Story

The path less well travelled

Nestled beneath the sprawling mass of Ben Wyvis mountain in the Scottish Highlands, GlenWyvis Distillery was established in 2015. The idea was to unite the community of Dingwall through the creation of a distillery owned by local people.

Dingwall’s last whisky distillery closed in 1926. After a 90 year absence, GlenWyvis revived the town’s lost distilling tradition, and made its own history in 2016 by running a record-breaking open share offer. More than 3,000 like-minded people invested in GlenWyvis to create the first ever 100% community-owned distillery. It was an incredible response to an extraordinary idea.

We are inspired by our beautiful landscape, and motivated to preserve it. GlenWyvis is a pioneer of sustainable distilling; wind, hydro, solar and biomass energy power our operations.

Our Team

Staff

Matthew Farmer Distillery Manager

Matthew Farmer

Distillery Manager

Growing up in the Scottish Highlands, Matthew has been living in America where he fell into the whisk(e)y industry, probably because they loved his accent. A decade later, he’s worked every job on a distillery floor, and hopes to bring a magpie mix of passion and experience to the small family here at GlenWyvis.

Craig MacRitchie Distillery Operator

Craig MacRitchie

Production Manager

Craig has been with us from the start. Originally working as our Head of Sales, Craig has now transitioned into production where he keeps a close eye on all of our operations.

Lindi Konoso UK Sales and Marketing Representative

Lindi Konoso

UK Sales & Marketing Representative

Born and raised in Inverness, Lindi moved to Glasgow in 2011 where she received a degree in Marketing and began a career in the exhibitions and events industry before returning to the highlands in 2020 to set up home in Dingwall. Lindi is excited to bring fresh ideas from her experience in sales, marketing, and events to GlenWyvis.

Rhianna Bell

UK Sales and Marketing Representative

Rhianna is the newest member of the GlenWyvis family. With experience in Sales and Recruitment, a Degree in Business and Marketing, and a true passion for Communications, Rhianna is excited to share our story to whisky enthusiasts near and far.

Kay Graham

Bookkeeper

Keeper of the Coin, Kay manages the complex tasks of whisky accounting and being annoyed at how expensive everything is.

Kev Cameron-Ross

Distillery Operator

Aberdeen-born, Kev has spent an enriching 18 years immersed in the captivating landscapes that define this remarkable region. His journey as a Distillery Operator at GlenWyvis stands as a testament to his unwavering passion for crafting exceptional spirits. Rooted in these experiences, Kev is uniquely positioned to bring the true essence of the Highlands to each and every bottle.

Directors

David McIntyre Vice Chairman

David McIntyre

Chairman

David joined the Board in 2021. He is a practicing mechanical engineer and former leader of an international team of multi-disciplined engineering experts. He sees GlenWyvis Distillery producing an acclaimed product, and being a role model for other businesses that understand the importance of looking after their people, communities and planet within the setting of a profitable and sustainable business.

Dickon Sandbach Treasurer

Dickon Sandbach

Treasurer

Dickon joined the Board in 2019. He recently retired as Senior Partner of Moore East Midlands, Chartered Accountants then moving locally to Kiltarlity.

David Allan Secretary

David Allan

Secretary

David joined the board in 2021. Originally from Berwick-upon-Tweed in the Scottish borders, David now lives and works in London. Since qualifying as a solicitor in 2008, he has gained extensive experience supporting businesses both large and small, starting in general commercial practise before moving in-house, initially in investment funds and now in the telecoms sector.

Andy Fisher Director and Head of the Standards Committee

Andy Fisher

Director and Head of the Standards Committee

Andy joined the Board in 2019. He is the Managing Director and co-founder of Integra Well Solutions Ltd, and has a wide range of commercial experience covering all aspects of business.

David Norcom Director

David Norcom

Director

David joined the Board in 2020. He is a US financier with extensive experience of the capital markets. He was a substantial contributor to the first share offer and has followed GlenWyvis from the get-go. He will be advising the board on several aspects of future capital raising

Jock Ramsay Director

Jock Ramsay

Director and Head of the GoodWill Fund

Jock joined the Board in 2022. A retired GP currently residing in Inverness, Jock brings a wealth of experience to GlenWyvis to help promote community engagement. A key member of the GoodWill Fund, Jock will oversee and manage the application process, objectively and fairly.

Meeghan Murdoch

Director

Meeghan has worked in many areas of the drinks industry. From buyer to importer & exporter, and from wine maker, brewer of sake and beer to distiller, Meeghan has seen it all. She has run operations for two distilleries, one in London and one in Scotland and helped set up two bonded warehouses. Born in Montreal, Canada, Meeghan has a vast network of connections and believes her international experiences and language skills can help further the GlenWyvis brand.

Karl Falconer

Director

Along with his wife, Karl runs a couple of local businesses in the Highlands. The first and main business is Highland Hog Roasts, an outdoor catering company founded 18 years ago. Karl also runs a small farm in Cannich where he rears livestock and tends to his herd of alpacas. Being a Highland business owner, Karl brings a diverse skill set to the table that will assist the distillery in growing and continuing to be in the hearts of the shareholders and the local community.

Committee Members and Volunteers

Marnie Vincent

Minutes Secretary

Marnie is the Minutes Secretary. When not otherwise engaged in doting on her new grandchildren - - who are the source of great joy - - she keeps members of the Management Committee in check and makes sure all papers are in order.

Jan Thomson

Standards Committee

In June 2022 Jan was elected onto the Standards Committee of GlenWyvis. Before retiring Jan owned and operated a small hotel in Sutherland for 15 years, prior to that she progressed through sales and management finally running a UK company within Johnson & Johnson Healthcare. As a member, Jan is passionate about the ethics of Goodwill!

Frances Nixseaman

GoodWill Fund Committee

Frances lives near Dingwall and was elected onto the GoodWill Fund Committee in 2022. She has been a Children’s Panel member, foster carer, youth worker and, after graduating, worked in several charities going into strategic development for children’s services in Highland and overseas.

Ann Mill-Duggan Volunteer

Ann Mills-Duggan

GoodWill Fund Committee

Semi-retired, Ann has been working for a grant-giving organisation for the past 11 years and has wide experience of assessing and reviewing funding proposals. She has been a welcome addition to the GoodWill Fund committee.

Timeline

1690
Across the Cromarty Firth from Dingwall, the famous Ferintosh Privilege is granted to local landowner Duncan Forbes. He is allowed to distil whisky on his land duty-free.
1784
The Ferintosh Privilege is revoked, ending almost 100 years of mass whisky production on the Black Isle. Robert Burns laments ‘Thee, Ferintosh! O sadly lost! Scotland lament frae coast to coast!’
1879
Dingwall ironmonger, agricultural merchant and town Baillie D.G. Ross builds Ben Wyvis Distillery. It takes 90 men nine months to blast away the Dingwall hillside to make way for the site.
1896
Glenskiach Distillery opens in Evanton, a few miles north of Dingwall. The distillery was designed by famous distillery architect of the Victorian age, Charles Doig.
1926
As a result of global economic depression, both Ben Wyvis and Glenskiach distilleries close. Glenskiach is soon demolished, however Ben Wyvis remains standing until the 1990s.
1965
Invergordon Distillery starts distilling Ben Wyvis single malt whisky within its grain distillery complex. Most of the single malt goes into blended whiskies.
1973
A crash in the US economy impacts the Scottish whisky industry and Invergordon ceases production of Ben Wyvis. The stills are later repurposed by Glengyle Distillery in Campbeltown.
2015
GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall is established. The idea was inspired by the area’s rich whisky history, and the team embarked upon raising local support for the project.
2016
GlenWyvis launches its first share offer, which raises £2.6 million in 77 days. 2,200 people invest in the project, breaking records and making national headlines. Construction of the distillery begins.
2017
GlenWyvis opens its second share offer, and 1,000 more people invest in the project. The distillery build is finished in November, and Duncan Tait joins the team as Distillery Manager.
2018
GlenWyvis Distillery starts both whisky and gin production. GlenWyvis Whisky is laid down in casks, and GoodWill Gin enters the market.
2019
With over 500 casks now resting onsite at GlenWyvis, a bottling of New Make Spirit is released to give a flavour of things to come.
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