Meet the Team
Donald Renwick, Distillery Manager
Donald has been with the company for 26 years. He started out his career at the old White Horse bottling plant, at the time owned by DCL. His engineering background has given him the opportunity to work in a diverse range of roles including blending, bottling and maltings.
Most recently Donald held the position of Distillery Manager at Lagavulin, Islay. He especially enjoyed his time there, where he was heavily involved with promoting malt whisky all over Europe and Japan.
In 2005 Donald relocated to Royal Lochnagar to take up the same position.
What do you enjoy most about working for Royal Lochnagar?
‘Apart from the small friendly team of staff, who are very passionate about their work. I enjoy running the Malt Advocate courses, as I get the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. You can’t beat the Friday feeling, when the distillery weekly production is declared and we have achieved our target’.
What would be your ideal holiday?
‘Hillwalking in the UK. I did the West Highland Way in 1996 and the sense of achievement was immense, not to mention the interesting people you meet on the way’.
Who do you most admire?
‘My Father. He was a wonderful man, great company, well respected with standards second to none.’
Andrew Thain, Distillery Operator
Andrew has been at Royal Lochnagar for 17 years. He joined the company straight after leaving school, working his way up to become a distillery operator.
What do you most enjoy about working for Royal Lochnagar?
‘Working for Royal Lochnagar distillery gives me a real sense of achievement. I work within a small friendly team and enjoy the companionship. I am proud to play a part in producing a handcrafted product’.
What is your favourite food and why?
‘It has to be Indian food, especially a good chicken bhuna from the takeaway. Washed down with a nice cold beer is even better.’
If you were not an operator, what would you see yourself doing?
‘A footballer, playing for Glasgow Rangers. The lifestyle is definitely the attraction.’
As well as being full time operators Andrew, the two Ian’s and John are all members of the local voluntary fire brigade, our own local heroes!
Ian Fraser, Distillery Operator
Ian reigns from a mainly cattle farming background in the North East. When he heard about the job at the distillery he felt it would be something interesting and challenging. His dreams came true, as Ian has now been with us for 22 years.
What do you enjoy most about working for Royal Lochnagar?
‘The team spirit of course, but also the variety of the job.'
What would be your ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
‘Playing golf on my favourite golf course (Ballater) with Michael Douglas’s better half.'
What did you want to be when you left school?
‘I wanted to be ghillie, I was really interested in hunting and thought it would mean I could get paid for doing something I enjoyed.'
Ian Halliday, Distillery Operator
After leaving school Ian served his time as a Slater in the borders and came to Deeside for a long weekend 24 years ago. He also claims to have been a pool attendant at a local hotel! Ian joined the distillery as a Lead Guide, so he has the gift of the gab. He will have been an operator for 20 years in 2008.
What do you enjoy most about working for Royal Lochnagar?
‘Definitely the banter, there is always a good atmosphere in the team. I feel privileged to work for the worlds leading drinks company, who know how to look after their staff’.
What is your favourite film?
‘I have lots of favourite movies, one is the Green Mile because it had an excellent story line. Another would be the Muppets Christmas Carol, not just for kids, it is really funny.
What do you like doing on your days off?
‘Mountain biking, nothing beats going off into the hills around Deeside with some friends. I also help out in the local bike shop with repairs, and not forgetting I am the senior coach of the Ballater judo club which can tie my weekends up.
Ryan Cromar, Distillery Operator
Ryan is a new member to the team, joining us in April 2007. Before coming to work at the distillery Ryan ran his own outdoor activity business in Ballater.
What do you enjoy the most about working for Royal Lochnagar ?
'I enjoy working with a small, friendly and dedicated team to produce one of Scotland's most famous exports. The history and tradition surrounding Royal Lochnagar with some of the old methods still in place, make me proud to play my part.'
What is your favourite food?
‘Chicken fajitas, mexican food is great. It is quick and easy to make, no great chefing talent required!'
What would be your ideal holiday?
'Sailing around the Caribbean in a yacht. Sun, sea and sails!'
John Jolly, Distillery Operator
John is our newest team member, who started in August 2007. This is not his first time at the distillery he has worked with us previously for 5 seasons as a guide. John comes to us with a wealth of experience, ‘our John of all trades’. In his spare time he enjoys golfing, skiing and spending time with his family.
What attracted you to work at Royal Lochnagar Distillery?
‘I enjoy working as part of a team, where you are striving to achieve the same ultimate goal. I enjoy the variety of work the job offers and I feel proud to have the opportunity to be part of the production of such a quality product.'
What is your favourite film?
‘Backdraft, it is an action packed film that keeps your attention and you never know what’s going to happen next.'
What would be your ideal holiday?
‘Taking the family to Florida, there is so much for the children to do and see and great shopping for the wife.'
Joe Connor, Distillery Operator
Joe is our longest serving member of staff, having worked at Royal Lochnagar for 29 years. His background was in the armed forces, so he is the disciplinarian in the team!
What do you enjoy most about working at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery?
‘I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years but the most substantial is the trust and responsibility we now have as Operators. I enjoy the challenge of keeping up with all different aspects of the job and also the companionship of being part of a small team.'
What is your favourite food?
‘I am a meat, two veg and potato kind of man. A good old fashioned roast always goes down well’.
What was the best book you have ever read?
‘My favourite book is any thing written by Wilbur Smith, especially All about Africa way back in the 1800’s.'
Stewart Adamson, Brand Home Manager
Stewart started with the company as a Lead Guide in April 2003. After 3 years with the company he progressed to his current role as Brand Home Manager upon the retirement of his long serving predcessor. Prior to that Stewart’s background has been in the hotel industry. Stewart ran a successful small country hotel in Deeside for 15 years.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
‘Giving people an understanding of the making and the enjoying of whisky. Working with the team here at Lochnagar.'
What is your favourite film?
‘The Shawshank redemption. A powerful real story, well acted, dramatised, scripted film, that grabs your attention, hooks you in, and then is over without realising how quickly the time has gone and it ends happily.'
What would be your ideal way to spend a Sunday?
‘Skiing in the morning, golf in the afternoon. A combination of two favourite sports where I have try to keep up with my children in the morning as they leave me standing at the top of the hill and then to be able to relax with the challenge of the golf course. A day filled with fresh air and lots of fun, and someone else to prepare dinner.'
Kay Hamilton, Lead Guide
Kay joined the company in September 2006 as a Lead Guide. Originally from Greenock, Kay worked in Oddbins for 5 years, she was then promoted to Branch Manager which brought her to Aberdeenshire. Kay also worked for One Devonshire Gardens in a variety of roles including Assistant Manager & Events Organiser.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
‘I love working at the distillery. I get to meet new people, get involved in whisky tastings which I have a lot of experience of and it is a constant learning curve.'
What is your greatest achievement?
‘Most recently, it would be passing my General Certificate in Distilling. It was lots of hard work and nights spent with my head buried in the books but it was worth it.'
What is your favourite book?
‘The Cider House rules, by John Irving. I read this book on route to Florida, I spun it out for whole two weeks as it was just fantastic.'
Marnie Fraser - has now joined the team at Glenkinchie.
Alex Philip, Brand Home Assistant
Alex has been with us for 14 years now. Prior to the distillery she has had a varied work background, her most recent position was Head Housekeeper for a large hotel in Braemar. Alex began at Royal Lochnagar as a Cook in the restaurant, when that closed she became involved in guiding. Alex is now responsible for the catering for the Malt Advocate Courses, as well as continuing with the tours. She is a dab hand in the kitchen and keeps us all well fed with her delicious cakes and bakes!
What do you enjoy most about working for Royal Lochnagar?
‘Definitely the variety. I get to meet lots of interesting people, both dealing with the malt advocate courses and guiding.'
What is your favourite food?
‘A nice homemade lamb curry, preferably made by one of my favourite chef’s Gordon Ramsay.'
What would be your ideal holiday?
‘I would love to go to the Caribbean. A mixture of sightseeing and a few lazy days in the sun with a mojito sounds idyllic.'
May Clark, Head Gardener/Brand Home Assistant
May joined Royal Lochnagar in 1998. She is the lady responsible for keeping the visitor centre and brand home sparkling. May tends to the gardens and ensures we are always in bloom. Prior to joining us she worked at a local hotel for 15 years.
What do you enjoy most about working for Royal Lochnagar?
‘The distillery is in such a nice setting, which makes you enjoy coming to work. I am lucky to work with a small friendly team of staff.'
What would be your ideal job if you were not working at the distillery?
‘I would like to own and run a garden centre in Deeside. Then I could combine my hobby with earning money.'
What would be your ideal holiday?
‘A world cruise on a luxury liner, where I can have plenty relaxation and see the wonders of the world.'
Angus Hunter, Guide
Angus has been in the Hotel and Hospitality Sector since the age of 13. He has run hotels, been a Trainer for the Hotel Training Board as well as a Training Consultant and a Training Manager for Whitbread, finishing up before retiring as a Out based Systems Manager for Scottish & Newcastle Retail and the Spirit Group.
Started in 2007 as a Seasonal Guide at Royal Lochnagar.
What do you enjoy most about working for Royal Lochnagar?
‘Just about everything. After a hectic working life, constantly on the road and living in Hotels, it’s great to be part of a close knit team again. A passion for single malt (off duty!) helps. I actually look forward to getting up and going to work again and I learn something new each day’
What is your hobby?
‘Apart from a wee dram of Lagavulin 16 year old it has to be out and about in the hills around Ballater and Braemar, either with my two Border Collie dogs or on my Mountain Bike. All of them keep me fit and alive! There’s no better scenery in the world for me than Scotland’
What is your favourite film?
‘Anything with Al Pacino especially if he teams up with Robert De Niro. There’s no better combination. My favourite Al Pacino Film? Surprisingly enough, Scent of a Woman. His portrayal of a blind ex soldier is a phenomenal piece of method acting’