Scottish Committee – February 2026 Report

It’s been an unusually busy few days for the Scottish Committee this February.

On Wednesday 4th February the Scottish Committee were hosted by Glencadam Distillery for their first meeting of the year.

Established 200 years ago, Glencadam, located in the town of Brechin on the east of Scotland, came into the ownership of Angus Dundee in 2003 after being mothballed and the first mash under the new owners was in August of that year. Distilling continues and last year saw the opening of a new visitors centre celebrating its 200th birthday.

Our meeting covered the usual agenda items and admitted four new candidates as Freemen of the Company. They are Michael Mclaren Peter Donnelly, Neil Hendriksz and Saniya Khot. Saniya didn’t have far to travel as she is a Gin Distiller and Quality Executive at Glencadam Distillery.

We continue to identify potential Freemen and Liverymen and currently have one candidate soon to take the Freedom oath in London, two candidates whose forms are with the Clerk’s office awaiting to be interviewed and a further twenty-one potential candidates.

Fast forward nine days to Friday the13th! A date that might be viewed with trepidation by some, but that wasn’t to be the case for the inaugural Scottish Spring Lunch held at the New Club in Edinburgh. A full house of forty Liverymen, Freemen and their guests signed up to attend this lunch in the Castle Room with spectacular views to the old town of Edinburgh and the Castle. Informality was the order of the day where guests had a chance to catch up with industry friends and make new acquaintances.

We were delighted to have the Master present, and he said a few words after lunch. A bonus was provided by Stuart Cassells, a guest who is well known in the Scotch Whisky Industry. Whilst he would normally be associated with playing the bagpipes, on this occasion he sang the song Here’s a Health to the Company, a fitting tribute to the end of lunch, but a number carried on catching up with friends into the late afternoon……..

Prior to lunch we enjoyed a Raasay Gin & Tonic and with coffee we enjoyed a dram of CRN 57° 12 year old Blended Malt from Gordon & MacPhail. Our thanks to those that provided these drinks and our thanks to the New Club for a delicious lunch, fine wines and excellent service.

There was a strong view that another lunch would be a welcome addition to the events in Scotland so, watch this space!

On the 18th March there will be a Masters Bar at the Port of Leith Distillery. Further details and booking details can be found at http://www.bit.ly/master-bar-scotland

Michael Urquhart CBE Scottish Committee Chairman