A gin on the crocodile rocks: All-female team of islanders launch crowdfunder for Cumbrae distillery

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched by a group of  islanders to create Cumbrae’s own gin distillery.

Five women, brought together by a shared love of the idyllic Clyde island, hatched their plan for the Millport-based business at a quiz night in the town’s Twa Dugs pub last year.

Launching their fundraising campaign earlier this week on World Cocktail Day, they’re already well on their way to a target of £10,000 by World Gin Day on June 13.

Philippa Dalton, a former secondary school teacher, admits none of her fellow entrepreneurs have any experience with gin – other than drinking it – but they hope to make a product the island can be proud of.

“The idea came about by accident,” she recalls. “We didn’t all know each other, but we were together for the quiz last August.

“The conversation got round to the restoration of the town hall, and how the people behind that thought that something like a gin distillery could be used to bolster funds.

“Much to the annoyance of the people trying to run the quiz, we just started talking about that!

“The next day, we met up for another reason and we thought, ‘why don’t we do it?'”

The wheels were put in motion and the group quickly had a business plan together, and self-funded their early forays into the business.

Describing themselves as ‘young at heart’, they’ve stepped out of their comfort zone and have faced a steep learning curve.

Two of the group have gone on gin-making courses, and others on a mixing course, to get a better knowledge of how it will all work.

The crowdfunder will allow them to purchase the still that forms the heart of the distillery, and allow them to create a product that celebrates the culture and history of Cumbrae.

“We’re a bit of a mixed bag, and there isn’t a Scot amongst us,” Philippa, who retired to the island from Yorkshire with her husband in 2018, adds.

“We’ve got a Canadian, an American and a couple of Yorkshire lasses.

“Bronwyn comes over from Canada every summer. She’s the only one who hasn’t tasted the signature gin, and unfortunately she’s maybe not going to get here this summer.”

Due to the lockdown, the group have revised their aims and now expect to be up and running in time for Christmas.

With the help of a distiller on the Isle of Bute, they’ve managed to create their signature gin, as well as a cocktail featuring it called ‘Nostalgin’.

Island residents have been enthusiastic towards the project so far, and have been involved in question and answer sessions about the plans.

A percentage of the distillery’s profits will be reinvested in island initiatives, and the group also hope to provide employment and training opportunities and attract student interns in future.

Philippa adds: “We’ve had a lot of interest from local people, who I think are quite keen on having a distillery on the island. It’s a gin that’s theirs.

“It’s a community venture as well, not just to line our pockets. There’s been a lot of support, and interest from visitors to the island as well. We’re very excited about it, but there’s a lot to do.

“We don’t expect to be making massive batches, this’ll be a craft, small batch distillery.

“We’ve got things planned for the shop including t-shirts, coasters and things like that.

“We’ve also got a brilliant chocolatier on the island who’ll be creating truffles using our gin.”

The project has been continuing with the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis, and its effects on the island.

Philippa says lockdown has had a very noticeable impact on Cumbrae, which normally welcomes thousands of visitors over the summer to stroll or cycle around the island’s circumference and pay a visit to the craft and tourist shops in Millport.

But with coronavirus restrictions, the island’s 1,500 residents have had it all to themselves.

“Initially it was hard work because we routinely go off the island to do our shopping, visit relatives and so on,” Philippa says.

“But as time’s gone on and the weather’s been so gorgeous, I’ve gotten to be a little bit worried that everybody’s going to come in hordes to visit the island again.  I just want to keep it as it is!

“The wildlife is changing as well, because there aren’t boats in the harbour and dogs all around nesting sites. It’s quiet and peaceful.”

Visit https://rbsbackherbusiness.co.uk/isleofcumbrae-distillers