Benbecula Distillery, one of Scotland’s newest whisky producers, based in the Outer Hebrides, has secured a £1.5m investment boost from the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland.
Delivered via Maven Capital Partners, the funding is set to enable the distillery to embark on a programme of growth, including scaling up production, supporting the whisky maturation process and expanding its headcount.
Reviving a recipe first crafted over 130 years ago, Benbecula Distillery began production in spring 2024. Its visitor centre and café opened in April 2025.
The business is led by founder, Angus MacMillan, and managing director, Hector MacLeod, both born and raised on the Islands. Distilling is overseen by master distiller Brendan McCarron, whose career has included senior roles with Moët Hennessy and Distell, and is admired for critically acclaimed whiskies he has created for Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Oban, Tobermory, Deanston and Bunnahabhain.
The deal comes as Benbecula Distillery launched its strictly limited second private cask offering, providing whisky enthusiasts and investors with the opportunity to secure early access to the distillery’s spirit ahead of the first bottled releases. Following a sell-out cask sale last year, a further 120 casks, in three varieties are now available: Palo Cortado Hogshead, Red Wine Barrique and Bourbon Barrel. The distillery only plans to sell private casks in its first three years of production.
Angus MacMillan, founder of Benbecula Distillery, said: “Securing this investment is a major milestone for us and for the island. It gives us the ability to scale production with confidence, continue creating skilled jobs locally, and develop visitor experiences that bring people closer to our story.
“Most importantly, it allows us to keep laying down spirit for future generations. Benbecula Distillery was founded to celebrate the Outer Hebrides’ people and place and this backing helps us realise that vision.”