North Uist Distillery is toasting 2022 by making all ten of their employees into shareholders in the company.

The distillery has earned a reputation for being a progressive and forward-looking company. But now it is taking things even further by giving everyone a stake in the business.

The Nunton-based distillery, a venture created on their home island in 2019 by Kate Macdonald and Johnny Ingledew, feels the move will encourage their team to have ownership of the business and to work collaboratively.

Co-founder Kate said: “From day one it has been important for us as a business to work towards creating sustainable jobs for our islands and to be the best employers we could be. 

“That is why every member of the team is now officially a shareholder in North Uist Distillery, and the sense of genuine investment and collaboration that we foresaw when we started the company is a reality. “

However, a share in the business is far from the only employee benefit on offer. Employees have the option of working flexible hours, an individual training budget to learn and grow, and a gin allowance.

There’s no denying that North Uist Distillery is keeping a close eye on the future and moving with the times.

Last year, the distillery acquired its historic premises at Nunton Steadings on Benbecula and in May that year opened their Downpour Shop and a tasting room later in the season. They also bagged two Great Taste Awards.

Currently, distilling and bottling of their signature Downpour Gin is to continue at their original site in Bayhead, North Uist. But the intention is to move all their production to Nunton Steadings.

And it’s not just the gin market they have set their sights on. Recently, North Uist Distillery were successful in securing investment to purchase whisky-making equipment. Production is slated to begin in mid-2023, with advanced cask sales about to launch soon.

Everyone at the distillery looks to be in for another busy year as this summer they will be running an increased number of tours and tastings at Nunton Steadings. On top of that, the Downpour Shop is now open all year round. 

And also tentatively in the pipeline is a small bar alongside the shop where people can enjoy a Downpour G&T on-site as tasting sessions tend to sell out quickly. So walk-in visitors will be able to taste and learn more about the distillery’s products.