An island enterprise rooted in community

We wanted to capture the spirit of this island in a bottle and share it with the world. But more importantly, we wanted to create lasting jobs, bring opportunity to our community, and help ensure that people could continue to live and work here for generations to come.

Ten years later, we've taken a moment to look back at our journey and the progress we’ve made so far.

We’re pleased to share some milestones and achievements…

The distillery has contributed £13.8 million to the local economy and generated £37.7 million in turnover since opening. While those numbers are significant, what matters most to us is what they represent: jobs created, families supported, local businesses strengthened, and a community that continues to thrive.

When we started, there were just ten of us. Today, our team has grown to 31 people, all helping to make and share Isle of Harris Gin and The Hearach single malt whisky with customers around the world. If conditions allow, we hope to create another 12 jobs by 2030.

That growth hasn't happened in isolation. Over the past decade we've invested £14.6 million in infrastructure and paid £10.7 million in wages. On an island of around 1,800 residents, those figures reflect a long-term commitment to Harris and its future.

One of the things we're particularly proud of is the role we've played in bringing visitors to the island. Since opening, more than 650,000 people have come through our doors in Tarbert. Many arrive because they've discovered our gin or whisky elsewhere, and their visit gives them the chance to experience Harris for themselves, its people, landscapes, businesses and culture.

"I grew up in the village of Tarbert, just a few steps from the distillery doors. After studying Hospitality Management in Glasgow and working in the restaurant industry there, I felt a strong pull back to my roots on the Isle of Harris.

“In December 2014, I joined the distillery as part of the “Tarbert 10”: the original ten members of staff and began my journey as Guest Services Manager. My involvement in the sensory and quality aspects of Isle of Harris Gin from the start naturally sparked a deep interest in whisky production and flavour profiles in both new make spirit and maturing whisky.

“As we moved closer to launching our first whisky, we needed more in-house expertise in sensory work and blending, so I threw my hat in the ring and began a new chapter within the production team. 

“Learning the craft and science of distillation, maturation, and cask selection has been a huge learning curve for me. Every day brings new opportunities, challenges, and the joy of creating something that reflects our island home.”