In the 1950s, our remote island community was twice as large as it is now. A stark, long-term decline in local population continues to this day, as we continue to face acute demographic challenges and our young people leave to seek work and opportunity far from our shores.
The Isle of Harris Distillery was established to help address this issue, with ambitions to create sustainable employment and support our broader local economy. By making beautiful spirits and sharing them with the world, we strive to connect people to our story and build a successful business here in the heart of Harris.
We’re proud to say that we are doing just that, and after three short years our original goals are being surpassed. We began life with a small team of employees, the original Tarbert Ten, but have since grown to a family of thirty full-time, six part-time and two seasonal staff today.
As word of our Isle of Harris Gin spreads, the demands upon our dedicated team have grown too. We endeavour to keep every part of our work based in Harris, from distilling and filling bottles to all sales and shipping, helping to ensure the best service for our customers but also to provide more local work.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and support of gin-lovers across the UK and beyond we’re now delighted to be expanding our operation here at the distillery, and with it creating three more full-time roles. Following a brief period of restructuring, we're appointing another trainee distiller and forming a new Bottling & Logistics team.
This new area of distillery life is tasked with ensuring every beautiful bottle of Isle of Harris Gin is always produced and packaged to the highest standards before being delivered in good time to eagerly awaiting customers across the world. So, we’re now looking for the right person to lead this department and another to join their team.
And as demand for our island spirit grows, we’re also happy to be able to add to our pool of distillers, once again training the right person from scratch in the art of making whisky and gin. This new role will lead to a formal qualification and, hopefully, a life-long journey in the ancient craft of distilling.
Three new positions may not seem like much to some, but in a community of fewer than 2,000 people, the number is a significant one. Each new appointment offers an opportunity to live and work here these beautiful islands, surrounded by friends, family and the natural world. It gives a chance to learn new skills and set down real roots in our community.
We will never be the sole solution to the many challenges our island faces, but we fully intend to play our part alongside the many others who hold the Isle of Harris dear. Together, we can be a catalyst for positive change, inspiring the next generation of Hearaich to consider making a bright future for themselves in the place they love to call home.
All this is being made possible with every bottle you buy. And, with every connection we make in this way, customers like you are helping to create real jobs and realise our long-term ambitions. We thank you for making a difference and hope you’ll continue to reap the rewards with us in spirit as we grow.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO APPLY FOR THE NEW POSITIONS OR WANT TO KNOW MORE PLEASE SEE THE ADVERT BELOW OR VIA THIS LINK.
YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT US AT WORK@HARRISDISTILLERY.COM
WE WELCOME APPLICANTS FROM THE ISLE OF HARRIS AND ELSEWHERE IN THE UK. JOIN US!
CLOSING DATE: FRIDAY 22ND MARCH 2019
