Meet the Team
From barley field to bottle, every drop of Inverurie whisky carries the dedication of our team. Meet the people crafting Donside’s newest chapter in Scotch whisky.
DAVID FYFFE
After 18 years in the international drinks industry, including the sale of Scotch Whisky worldwide, I inherited Fetternear Estate from my parents and took on the running of it. Since 1996 we have been farming and managing the place with an excellent local team of partner farms.
Not only is the Home Farm building a perfect, granite-built venue for a distillery but the location between the Bennachie hills and the River Don gives us a wonderful, rural base to work from. Excellent cropping in the area and all the modern skills and machinery required to make it work. And 2 bonuses: Great local shopping & Aberdeen airport is less than 20 minutes away.
I was the designer of many of the new craft whisky distilleries of recent years: Ardnamurchan, NcN’ean, Lindores Abbey. I have designed complex modern distilleries into historic buildings many times, some of them are the most efficient whisky producers in the world.
We knew right away that the beautiful old farm steading at Fetternear would be the perfect building for the new distillery. There is room for everything; from grain mill to the still house, everything fits in perfectly. There’s a historic borehole providing the water. Everything we need for spirit making can be provided on site – it’s going to be a true Single Estate Distillery.
GARETH ROBERTS
MIKE STUART
I’m the founder of the Inverurie Whisky Shop and Foghouse Spirits, and my aim has always been simple: make Scotch whisky welcoming, whether you’re brand new to it or you’ve been drinking it for years.
Growing up in the North East of Scotland, I’ve always been passionate about the role Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire have played in whisky’s wider story, from the land and raw materials to the people and traditions that helped shape the industry.
When I was asked to get involved with the Inverurie Distillery project, I didn’t hesitate. This is my home turf and the opportunity to help create a lasting legacy of whisky distillation right here in Aberdeenshire is something I’m genuinely excited about.
GARETH ROBERTS
Architect and distillery specialist with 30 years’ experience. Founded Organic Architects, designing over 70 whisky distilleries worldwide including Ardnamurchan, NcN’ean, and Lindores Abbey. Brings unparalleled expertise in creating efficient, sustainable distilleries within historic buildings.
DAVID FYFFE
Owner of Fetternear Estate with 18 years in the international drinks industry. Managing the estate since 1996, David brings deep knowledge of Scotch whisky and premium agriculture, farming heritage barley varieties ideal for exceptional spirit production.
