Highland Mums celebrate success of award-winning craft gin business 

About the business

Inspired by the rugged landscape of their surroundings, Bealach Highland Gin is a smooth spirit that boasts a distinctive and flavourful taste thanks to the use of sustainably foraged local botanicals, such as brambles, bog myrtle and pines.  

How Business Gateway has helped

Catriona, a geography teacher and Cara, who has a background working in distilleries, first approached Business Gateway in 2023 for help in bringing their idea for their own craft gin to life.  

Through Business Gateway, Catriona and Cara attended a one-to-one meeting with a dedicated business adviser on how to access funding.  

Catriona and Cara benefitted from a Highland Council start-up grant thanks to the support from Business Gateway Highland. This financial boost has allowed the pair to innovate, increase productivity, and stimulate economic growth in their communities.   

Bealach Highland Gin, which is now on its fifth batch, is now stocked in seven different businesses within a 16-mile radius of Catriona and Cara’s base. The pair has successfully applied for Alcohol Wholesalers Registration Scheme through HMRC, and now have plans to sell to local retailers and beyond in the future.  

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”. 

Catriona Murch, Co-founder, Bealach Gin, 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 and met with our adviser who was instantly encouraging. We have very much benefited from the financial support of the start-up grant as there are so many costs to cover at the beginning."