Today, we will raise our glasses, not in a farewell, but in a heartfelt celebration and thank you. For a decade Margaret, Claire’s mum, has been the fixer behind the scenes at the distillery. Bringing method to our madness and structure to our chaos.
And now, as she sails into the sunset of retirement via the Norwegian Fjordes, we find ourselves both thankful and wistful.
We use the word ‘retire’ very loosely as she is far too young at heart to be retiring and plus we’re also figuring out how we can entice her to stay on call!
Rolling back 10 years, Margaret had happily retired from Dounreay and was enjoying pottering away at home and being a seasonal Tour Guide at The Castle of Mey. After getting over our daft idea of opening a distillery she calmly stepped in to the role of being our backbone of support. Since coming down to help with the mad rush and craziness of our early days she hasn’t been allowed back out as we clung on to this fabulous asset!! The front door was firmly locked 😉
Initially helping us with production along with Martin’s dad, Rab, we would sit at the benches filling, labelling, waxing and chatting away. For a long time, we could identify who had waxed which bottle – Margaret’s was always bang on straight whereas Rab liked to wax his at a jaunty angle! As time went on her role grew and grew and she became our Production Supervisor and Organiser Extraordinaire – she was on it.
Her organisational skills are second to none and she could answer any question you asked about stock instantly! Keeping a track of bottles and orders, keeping SALSA, weights & measures (and us!) all in order has been no easy task. We are extremely grateful for the structures and systems she has diligently put in place. She leaves us well organised and in great shape!
More than just our best customer…
She has always been more than just our Production Supervisor and our best customer. She has always been there for us, whenever we have needed her, no matter what we asked! I am sure this won’t change.
She was always happy to be a taster and up for a bit of craic and many a laugh was had with the Friday Frolics the distillery Divas & Dudes sent our way. This picture is just one of the many laughs they had on us – they waited until we were away and then sent a picture of how ‘hard’ they were working!
An incredible support
In the last 10 years we’ve faced so many challenges and having her behind us has such an incredible support. Running a business is an incredibly lonely place and often overwhelming. She’s always had our back.
From the very first night when the labeller wouldn’t work and we ended up with loom bands doing the job that an Italian Engineer couldn’t right up until today when she was making sure everything was in order for her to leave happily.
Forever Margaret
People always ask why we named our second still Margaret. The obvious link is to royalty as our first still is named Elizabeth. Actually it is named after Margaret Calder, Claire’s mum and our legendary Production Supervisor. She is as capable as a still of being able to hold a drink and not fall over 😉
It is a testament to her, and her name will forever be there for people to know just how much she means to us.
So, let’s raise our glasses high. To Margaret—one of the original crew. May your retirement be as smooth as a well-aged whisky, as bubbly as a freshly popped prosecco, and as satisfying as that first sip of a perfectly crafted Rock Rose Gin & Tonic. You deserve it.
With our deepest gratitude and much love to you Margaret.
