Kingsbarns Journal

Michael is our Visitor Experience Manager, home to both Kingsbarns and Darnley’s Distilleries. Our Netherlands-native Experience Manager runs the day-to-day operations in the visitor centre, including the café, shop, tours, ecommerce fulfilment and general upkeep of the property. How did you get into the industry? I’ve always worked in hospitality ever since I was 14 years of age; firstly alongside my studies, then during my (world) travels and eventually I made it my profession when I further developed my skills at Skibo Castle, in the north of Scotland. There I was fortunate enough to really learn about whisky, both while...

This week we caught up with Kingsbarns Director of UK & EU sales, Ben Stewart, to learn more his role at the company. Ben has been part of the team for almost 2 and a half years and overseas the sales of our portfolio in 20 different markets across the UK & Europe. How did you get into the industry? I have worked on the brand side of the industry for almost 15 years, and before that I worked in hospitality for 6 years. In my early 20’s I worked in a brilliant cocktail bar called Tonic in Edinburgh, and...

Part Two Once we had overcome the initial excitement of committing to build a new single malt scotch whisky distillery, the reality dawned on me on the enormity of the project and all the parts we had to bring together to get to the start line. First up were the necessary construction consents. We call it ‘planning permission’ in the UK as the decrepit structure was in fact a wonderful Grade B listed building, dating back to the 1800s. This meant that any alternations needed the permission of Historic Scotland – and the buildings were never ever conceived as a...

Our Kingsbarns Distillery is situated in the Lowlands near St. Andrews, perfectly positioned to cater to the many golf enthusiasts spilling off of the courses that inhabit the area. Besides well kept golf courses, St Andrews is also known for it's paranormal activity; legends of ghosts and folk tales surrounding St Andrew and St Rule. With that in mind, we thought it apt to share a few of our favourite local ghosts. The Friendly Monk This ghost story doesn't involve any gruesome or scary apparitions, but rather the tale of the friendly monk in St. Rules Tower. St. Rules Tower...