- Home
- A Toast to Lillian
A Toast to Lillian
Celebrating Lillian MacArthur’s 50 year tenure at Bunnahabhain with a heartfelt tribute, a named still, and a special whisky release: Lillian’s Legacy.
For 50 remarkable years, Lillian MacArthur has been the beating heart of Bunnahabhain Distillery. Joining in 1975 at just 16, Lillian has become part of the very fabric of the distillery and wider Islay community - carrying its history, humour and humanity through half a century of change.
Known affectionately as 'General MacArthur', she blends razor-sharp knowledge with warmth, wit and fierce loyalty to Bunnahabhain. Her dedication is unwavering, her memory legendary, and her pride in the distillery is unmatched. Lillian's contribution goes far beyond her role - she embodies the spirit of Scotch.
Over five decades, Lillian has been a cornerstone of Bunnahabhain, guiding the distillery through eras of change. From handwritten ledgers to today's digital systems. Known for her meticulous record-keeping (often still in her trusted red notebooks), she has managed everything from warehousing and customs to day-to-day logistics, ensuring our whisky flows seamlessly from cask to customer.
While she began in the distillery office, Lillian's career has spanned the site - from supporting production teams to hand bottling and singing the first ever Fèis Ìle releases. With one of the longest tenures since Bunnahabhain's founding in 1881, she is truly woven into the fabric of our distillery. Lillian's impact on Bunnahabhain is immeasurable, and her legacy will live on in every drop of Bunnahabhain whisky.
To honour Lillian's remarkable service and indelible mark on our distillery, Spirit Still 1 now bears her name, fondly known as Lillian's Still. A quiet but enduring tribute to the woman whose dedication and unwavering presence has helped shape the heart of Bunnahabhain. But her story deserved more than a still. It deserved something that could be shared and savoured. Lillian's Legacy is that story in a bottle.
Lillian's Legacy
