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MEET THE TEAM AT BLADNOCH DISTILLERY

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce the members of staff at Bladnoch Distillery.  We will be adding more pictures in time plus some details of everyone's specific role within the distillery.  Running the Distillery is very much a team effort and could not be done without the commitment of our dedicated and enthusiastic staff.

HAZEL – Distillery Administrator

I was born in the Peak District of England and moved to Galloway with my husband Graham in 2003. We share a love of being outdoors – walking, camping and motor-cycling.
I joined the Bladnoch Team in March 2007 – taking over the running of the office and everything that entails.

I’m really enjoying being here at Bladnoch, everyone is so helpful and friendly, it’s like one big extended family! I’m looking forward to meeting many of our forum members and regular visitors over the coming years.

JOHN - Stillman

I've worked in Bladnoch Distillery since 1983 apart from 4 years when it was closed.
I started as a mashman with Arthur Bell in 1983 with no previous experience of whisky or distilling – I remember during the first week cleaning out the Low Wines & Feints charger and having to be sent home because of the fumes going to my head. The following week we started in production and three experienced workers came down from Dufftown to train the new recruits.

There were 3 eight hour shifts. The following Monday we all came into Bladnoch to find the three experts gone and we were on our own – time to panic!
I have been able to bring previous experience and knowledge of the distillery to assist in getting Bladnoch back into production.

I live in Wigtown and I’m married to Pamela. We have three children. I’m a member of the local bowls team and I’m a keen football supporter (Rangers)

HUGH - Stillman

Although local to Galloway I've worked in various places, including Dumfries & Carlisle. I bought a house at Whauphill and heard about the distillery being reopened, so I took leave from my job, went to work in Glengoyne Distillery to find out how things worked – all with a view to getting a job at Bladnoch. And here I am.

I’m a keen whisky lover and my main ambition is to be fast enough to outrun Raymond in a race to the end of the warehouse. I’m also a very important member of the Bladnoch Raft crew.

If you see me around the distillery – ask about my fishing trip to Ullapool – you won’t believe it!

I’m married to Mary and we have one son, Lochlan.

YOLANDA - Visitor Centre Manager

I was born and bred in the Machars, and having traveled and worked in such exotic places as Norway and Hong Kong, I returned to my roots in Bonnie Galloway. For a number of years I ran the Florentine Café in the heart of Wigtown – famed for its ice-cream and flamboyant exterior!

I joined the Bladnoch team in the Summer of 2005 as senior tour guide, taking over as Visitor Centre Manager in April 2007. I believe my own love and appreciation of Bladnoch Whisky helps to promote the product and the place.

My day usually begins with a trip through the distillery buildings to get my “fix” of the sights and smells of distilling. On the way I make sure “the boys” don’t starve, leaving them a second breakfast – well, they’ve already been at work for hours!

I also take care of the Distillery cats – as you can see.
I live in Newton Stewart with my own cat, Bubbles and King Charles Spaniel, Tilly.

SUE – Lakeland Office

After four years of toiling at Bladnoch I recently escaped to Ulverston with husband Kevin and our wild Westie Mabel. We’ve spent a few months exploring the area, enjoying long walks and good pubs.

However, Raymond decided I was too young to retire and could be quite useful at the other end of the computer - so here I am again working for the Distillery and hopefully spreading the influence of Bladnoch far and wide. Today Cumbria – tomorrow the world……….. well, who knows?

Anyone who visited Bladnoch may remember our two sons, Jack & Daniel, who also worked at Bladnoch – in fact even Kevin was dragged in to take an occasional French tour. So I guess it was a bit optimistic to think I could sit here in the glorious Cumbrian sunshine and just ponder on the good times at Bladnoch.
It’s good to be part of it again!

JANIS - Tour Guide

I have been at Bladnoch since September, becoming part of a friendly and helpful team.

It’s a busy wee place and there’s always something to do and someone to talk to.

I travel daily to the distillery from Newton Stewart where I keep busy with Amateur Dramatics and an active interest in politics.

I have a son, a daughter and two grand-children.

If Sean Connery or Richard Gere happens to read this – please call in at Bladnoch for a dram.

 

JENNIFER – Tour Guide

I'm Jennifer and I'm currently attending university in Edinburgh to become a building surveyor. I'm from a farm just a few miles down the road from the distillery.

I work at the distillery during the summer as a tour guide, which is definitely better than working in the winter, costs less in thermal underwear!

I'll easily finish off anyone's lunch if they offer, no preference to what it is!

I enjoy working at the distillery because it has a friendly atmosphere, when it's operating it has the most amazing smell about it, and you get to meet people from all over the world and they can share with you some interesting stories.

I love taking part in the annual Wigtown Raft Race, where Raymond usually has some cunning plan for creating a far more superior raft to everyone else's! I'm sure one day the distillery will win it...