Chris Ferguson

MORPETH ROTARY CHRIS FERGUSON ON AD GEFRIN

Chris told an audience of Rotarians and friends that he had not brought any whiskey with him but everyone could have a sample when they visit the distillery.

The idea started at a Ferguson and Redpath family meal when they talked about a press report saying someone wanted to make Northumbrian whiskey. They discussed how that could be turned into a practical proposal. They had a large site at Wooler from when the two companies merged and reorganised. The large and prominent site had been a source of local employment but had been left derelict for 25 years. Chris had not gone into the family business but went off and became a historian and archaeologist. This was a wonderful opportunity to marry his work while producing and encouraging all that was best in Northumbrian culture, craft and manufacture. The museum highlights the royal palace of the Northumbrian kings sited three miles north at Yeavering, the writings of Bede that told about those times and the fact that Northumbria was centre of learning and achievement for the whole of western Europe. They already produce a whiskey blended in Northumberland and a gin. They are eagerly awaiting the first Northumbrian single malt whiskey produced in Northumberland for 200 years. It is likely to take at least 5 years and this one will be produced legally.