Eilidh Macdonald is international business development manager at Isle Of Harris Distillery, where Gaelic language and culture is at the heart of her mission. Alongside colleague Megan Geddes (pictured), she is fresh off the plane from New York Tartan Week in the US (their biggest export market) to sponsor the Mòd over there. But in June, the distillery’s focus is firmly on events back home in Scotland. 

One such event is Meet The Maker in Edinburgh, where Geddes will introduce attendees to Hebridean storytelling. ‘Having these tasting events means getting out there, showcasing the products, highlighting the storytelling and the stories of Harris: the people, the weather, the way of life inspired by the oral tradition,’ says Macdonald, who will lead subsequent events in Glasgow and London later this summer.

‘We’re often referred to as the social distillery and try to see the gin and whisky not just as products, but as expressions of the place, our language, our heritage,’ Macdonald adds. ‘We also use Gaelic in communications and branding, reinforcing the cultural context; Gaelic songs, too, often without English translation. It’s just part of our identity, not just as a USP but part of our way of work and heritage. It’s just what we’re about.’ In July, the distillery will partner once more with HebCelt festival, collaborating with local artists and bringing gin cocktails to Stornoway in their Isle Of Harris Gin Ceilidh Tent. 

Meet The Maker with Isle Of Harris Distillery, Bonnie & Wilde, St James Quarter, Edinburgh, Saturday 14 June; picture by Greg Chalmers.