A COMMUNITY-OWNED Scots distillery has secured a cash injection of £500,000 from the Catalyst Fund.
GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall, Highlands is the world’s first wholly community-owned distillery, and this new funding is hoped to help it continue and develop whisky production, create new jobs and strengthen its marketing and sales capacity to deliver on its growth plans.
Founded in 2016 and later converted to a (CBS), GlenWyvis Distillery operates for the benefit of its local community.
It has 3,796 members, most of them from the local area, but also wider afield, each holding an equal vote regardless of shareholding. Whisky and gin production began in 2018 at its renewables-powered facility.
GlenWyvis says it is aiming to produce, promote, and retail single malt Scotch whisky while driving local economic activity and job creation.
The distillery has weathered significant challenges in recent years, including the Covid pandemic, a fire in its woodchip store and well-publicised disputes with its founder and landlord.
With its first 10-year-old batch still maturing in casks, GlenWyvis required working capital to maintain production and stockpiling until the early 2030s.
The distillery says the Catalyst Fund investment – a flexible, revenue-based finance product administered by social investor Firstport – provides the breathing space needed to focus on long-term growth and sustainability without disrupting operations.
By partnering with an impact-focused, support-driven investor, GlenWyvis can also deepen its contribution to the local community.
Jock Ramsay, chair at GlenWyvis, said: “We are delighted to have received support from such a notable investor who aligns very well with our raison d’être.
“This investment allows us to focus on continuing to produce excellent spirit whilst driving the distillery forward by expanding existing markets and seizing opportunities in new ones.
“Our small size and this injection give us the ability to improve and grow our market share at a time when the wider whisky industry is presently experiencing headwinds.”
Business and Employment Minister Richard Lochhead said: “GlenWyvis is a shining example of what community ownership can achieve.
“This £500,000 investment will help safeguard jobs and support the distillery’s ambitious plans to grow its presence in markets at home and abroad.
“It’s particularly encouraging to see this community-led business weathering difficult times and emerging stronger.
“GlenWyvis demonstrates how local enterprise can drive economic activity while celebrating the rich heritage of the Highlands.
“Our draft Budget for 2026-27 allocates sustained funding of £6.29m to support the growth of social enterprises the length and breadth of Scotland.”
Daisy Ford-Downes, head of group investment programmes at Firstport, said: “We are thrilled to support GlenWyvis.
“As a community-owned social enterprise, it offers a unique model for distilleries, rooted in local buy-in and positive community impact. GlenWyvis is a great example of Community Wealth Building in action.
“The flexibility of revenue-based finance will allow them to bring their ambitious plans to life, and we look forward to supporting their journey.”
