The duo behind a fledgling Highland gin is gearing up for expansion to keep up with demand - just eight months after its launch. Catriona Murch and Cara Edwards launched Bealach Gin in October after meeting at a parent and toddler group and discovering their shared love of the spirit. With advice from Business Gateway, they set out to create a gin inspired by the rugged landscape of their surroundings and named it after the Scots Gaelic word for mountain pass, a nod to the banks of Loch Lochy, Lochaber, where they both live.
This vision resulted in the creation of Bealach Highland Gin, a “smooth spirit that boasts a distinctive and flavourful taste”, stemming from the use of sustainably foraged local botanicals such as brambles, bog myrtle, and pines. READ MORE: Business guru restored hope and renewal to Scottish town Now on its fifth batch, the gin is stocked by seven businesses within a 16-mile radius of the owners' base. The pair plan to sell to local retailers and beyond after successfully applying for an Alcohol Wholesalers Registration Scheme through HMRC.
The gin was recently awarded silver from the International Wine & Spirit Competition, with the judges describing the spirit as having “a nice depth of flavour, balanced heat, and great complexity”. Ms Murch, a geography teacher, said: “After careful planning and market research, we knew that we had a solid idea to launch our own craft gin. We approached Business Gateway Highland and met with our advisor who .