Isle of Lewis Gin

Uig couple, Iain Irvine and Laura Jamieson, first launched The Isle of Lewis Gin in 2023, with support from Business Gateway, Scotland’s national business advisory service. The product sold out within six days of going to market.

With backgrounds in catering, business and marketing, and a long-standing passion for gin-making and the distillation process, the couple decided to take the plunge in 2022 and started creating the Isle of Lewis Gin.

A critical step in the creation of the gin was to identify and source botanicals that reflected the environment the couple live in. They took inspiration while on a walk along the machair at Riof in Uig, which was in full bloom, with a profusion of wild plants and flowers.

The result was the Isle of Lewis Gin, Leòdhas, which is currently produced by Lost Loch Spirits in Aboyne. To create the product, traditional juniper is blended with mint, wild thyme, rhubarb root and a touch of heather. It is then distilled with pure Lewis water which flows through the island’s Gneissian rock.

The couple worked with Business Gateway for six months in the lead up to the product launch.

Through Business Gateway, the pair benefitted from one-to-one support from a dedicated business adviser, who provided advice on their business plan and cost projection.

Iain and Laura went on to be awarded grant funding through the Outer Hebrides Young Enterprise Support Scheme, which is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and delivered by Business Gateway. The funding went towards the purchase of the equipment required for distilling, bottling and labelling and has been integral to moving forward with their plans to open a small distillery on the island.

Looking to the future, Iain and Laura are aiming to grow their own botanicals and produce the raw ingredients used to distil the grain neutral spirit.

They also hope to extend their range of products, create local employment and contribute to the overall wellbeing of the island.

Iain Irvine, Co-owner, Isle of Lewis Gin, said:

“Our commitment is to provide a premium quality product for our customers, and we were very happy that our Business Gateway adviser completely understood our vision.

“We are beyond grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve received so far, both from Business Gateway and from our wonderful island community. The grant we received has given us the opportunity to start our distillery much sooner than anticipated. As our business develops, we hope to be able to give back in the future.”

Derek Maclean, Business Gateway adviser, said:

“Supporting Iain and Laura on their business journey has been a total pleasure. I’m really pleased to see their continued success and look forward to watching the business grow in years to come.”

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit the Business Gateway website.