International Women's Day: Inside Bute's all-female brewery and distillery
The Isle of Bute Distillery's founder spoke on the benefits of a feminist work force
Last updated 8th Mar 2024
A Scottish distillery and brewery is ringing in International Women’s Day with their all women management team.
Rhona Wheatly founded the Isle of Bute Distillery - which also brews beer - in 2018, and told Clyde 1: “There’s Iona, who I credit a lot of the business to, she's the distillery manager and the the face on the island, the smiley one that comes and does the tasting and tours.
“And then we have Imogen and Julia who are the two Brewers and distillers on the island as well, so there's four of us and we all work together on the project.”
It took some time for the company to put together the feminine body it has today.
Wheately added: “It wasn't an all female presence in the beginning and in all honesty, that was something that I really struggled with.
“I was working with all male colleagues and it was a huge learning curve for me, particularly being a young female.
“It creates a little bit more anxiety and you just don't feel quite at ease because you're so conscious of yourself.
Supportive environment
“I've actually just returned to work after having two kids which is really nice timing because, coming back, its all women now and there's something a lot more exciting about it.
“I feel there's nothing we have to prove amongst ourselves and that just creates a much better environment to share ideas, to support one another and to just have fun at work.
“We want our staff to feel that they come to work every day and are able to learn, grow, have ideas and share them.”
Inspired by Audrey Hepburn
The female-theme extends beyond people and into the distillery’s equipment as the business could never have started without their Portuguese copper still, named Audrey.
Rhona told us: “She’s been called that since the beginning because the belief is that she looks like the silhouette of Audrey Hepburn in that iconic photo of her smoking a long cigarette.
“It wouldn’t be the same without her, yeah, she’s our fifth female member.”
Work continues at the distillery as all five women look to break down barriers and prove the worth of women in the industry.
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