About Scilly Spirit
In 2018, Hilary had the “crazy idea” to create a distillery on St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly where her family had lived for over 60 years. The islands were home for not only her grandmother (who lived until she was nearly 102), but also where her mother and father first met.
Many of her relations ran hotels, restaurants, guest houses and were involved with Ambulance service and the church.
Scilly is a very special place and together with her husband, Arthur, they started the process of learning how to make spirits and also to find a suitable building to create an Island Distillery and Gin School.
Art had spent 30 years in the drinks industry, for big brand owners, being involved in sales and marketing nationally and internationally. Hils has spent all her life in hospitality from a young age learning from her father. Having spent the last 30 years running her own business in Corporate Hospitality and Marketing in London, they were both ready for a new challenge involving all their existing skills and building on new ones!
They attended the iStill University to learn not only about the stills and equipment, but also the principals and protocols involved in making delicious spirits. An exciting process investigating botanical recipes and most recently grain bills for their new whisky.
The rest, they say, is history as the distillery has gone from strength to strength gaining many awards and national distribution to include John Lewis ….how great to celebrate the products of the islands!
