Crowdfunding, apparently, is “the process of asking for financial support from a large number of people”. But, we hope that in this case, it is a whole lot more than that.

To date, we have happily spent a large amount of our own money to get our plans to this current stage. We are also asking for support from Business Gateway and from Highlands & Islands Enterprise, regarding various aspects of the new business.

So far, we have been mostly investing in the branding for our new business, and in the all-important Recipe and Development of our first four gins. The tasting sessions have been particularly strenuous….!

Our short-term plan, and with your help, is to purchase our own handcrafted Scottish Still (Forsyths Ltd), and to build a new space in our own back garden from which Graeme will distill our gin, our rum, and eventually other spirits too. We have already created a little office space in an outbuilding from which Vicki can operate the administration/marketing side of things.

We will start by distributing online from here in the heart of Strontian (right at the foot of Tom an t- Sithein, Strontian’s Fairy Hill).  To begin with, our website will become our little online shop. We have been talking to many local craftspeople about selling their own handcrafted products as part of The Strontian Distillery range of merchandise.  We hope to offer hand-painted glasses, and coasters, hand-drawn maps, printed mugs, hoodies, tshirts, hats and more.  The creative talent in and around Strontian is astounding, and we are delighted to be able to provide another outlet for as many local craftspeople as possible.  We would like as many local people as possible to benefit from this new business. 

If successful in producing and distributing spirits to symbolise and celebrate the wonder that is Strontian, we will be quick to expand!  We have been talking to people in Strontian’s hospitality industry from whom we would rent a space which would become The Strontian Distillery’s Shop and Tasting Station.  We would hope to offer little tours and hospitality packages in the future, which would also help showcase some of the other wonderful businesses in Strontian.

Again, with your help to build this business, we hope to provide future work experience opportunities for pupils of Ardnamurchan High School here in Strontian, and more employment within the village.

The response to our new business from locals, has so far been very positive, and we have even received offers of people growing botanicals in their own poly tunnels to contribute towards our recipes!

Soon after making Strontian our home, Graeme signed up to become a retained firefighter for our local area, and Vicki now assists at the local High School as a Youth Worker specialising in Drama. Community is so important to us, particularly this incredible community, and we think everyone here is entitled to shout about how extraordinary Strontian is. And we’d like you to feel part of that too!