Wester Ross distillery to expand

A family-run micro-distillery in Wester Ross is set for significant growth after securing a £105,215 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Badachro Distillery Ltd, founded in 2018 by Gordon and Vanessa Quinn in the grounds of their home in Gairloch, has grown from a garden-shed startup into an international artisan brand.

The business now supplies retail, trade, contract, bottling, and export markets with its premium range of gins, vodkas and rums, alongside its small-batch whiskies. It also operates a visitor shop, offers tours and tastings, and has expanded its workforce to a team of six.

The latest investment will support the development of a new small malt whisky distillery. Plans include constructing an extension with a new stillhouse and installing specialist whisky distillation equipment. The project will also upgrade the distillery’s electricity supply and add a PV solar system, supporting the region’s net-zero ambitions.

Expanding into whisky production and increasing overall capacity will strengthen the company’s long-term resilience through additional turnover and international sales. The project is expected to create at least one new job and enhance the wider tourism offering in the Gairloch area.

Throughout its growth, Badachro Distillery Ltd has benefited from support through the HIE-led Food and Drink TechHUB, part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. It’s also located in an area the agency has identified as a priority for inclusive growth investment.

Development officer with HIE’s Lochaber Skye and Wester Ross team Jaynie Ireland said:

“Badachro Distillery has grown to become a key part of the tourism offering in and around Gairloch, as well as a valuable local employer. This project will strengthen the company’s resilience and the contribution it makes to the local economy. I’m very pleased we’ve been able to provide support and look forward to continuing to work with the team in this next stage of their business growth.”

Managing director of Badachro Distillery Ltd Gordon Quinn added:

“The support of HIE throughout our business journey has been invaluable in terms of training, consultancy and partial funding. The significant investment by our business, supported by investing by HIE, has resulted in the creation of the only whisky distillery on the NC500’s west coast, bringing visitors, employment, local economic benefits and advancement of our net-zero journey.”