Ian Urquhart, Former Managing Director of Gordon & MacPhail, Dies at 76

Ian Urquhart, 76, a member of the third generation of the Urquhart family to run the Scottish independent bottler and whisky distiller Gordon & MacPhail, passed away peacefully in Elgin on March 15^th 2024.

Ian followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps into the family business, which began as a grocer’s shop in Elgin in 1895. He started by helping out in the shop at 12 years old during school vacation, and later gained experience in the wine and spirits trade at Harrods, working in London and France, before joining Gordon & MacPhail in 1967. He was the eldest son of Mr. George Urquhart who passed away in 2001 and is remembered as a pioneer of single malt scotch whisky—even in the 1960s he would impart his vision for aging scotch whiskies longer than anyone else. Ian’s younger siblings, Rosemary Rankin (née Urquhart), the late David Urquhart, and Michael Urquhart would also take up positions with the business. Ian was the strategist, completing his MBA, supporting the company’s exit from the wholesale grocery business, and taking responsibility for new make stock levels while overseeing finances for G&M’s expanding whisky operations.

In the 1990s, Ian spearheaded the purchase and reopening of Benromach Distillery, which had been mothballed in 1983. As managing director, he was pictured with Prince Charles, now King Charles III, when the future monarch officially opened Benromach Distillery in 1998 during its centenary year. Ian Urquhart and King Charles were educated at Gordonstoun, and both attended the independent boarding school at the same time. With the spirit flowing again at Benromach, George Urquhart was able to realize his lifelong dream of Gordon & MacPhail becoming distillery owners before he died, understanding the long-term strategic importance of owning a distillery. Benromach’s copper stills form the backdrop to Ian’s portrait in the boardroom at George House, Gordon & MacPhail’s headquarters in Elgin. Many other independent bottlers including Adelphi, Douglas Laing, Hunter Laing, Signatory, and Ian Macleod, would later follow Ian Urquhart’s lead and either acquire or build their own scotch whisky distilleries. In 2022, Gordon & MacPhail opened a second site on Speyside, The Cairn Distillery, which was a catalyst for the company deciding to halt new make fillings and exit the independent bottling business.

Ian Urquhart served as managing director of Gordon & MacPhail for 15 years until 2007, going on to serve as a non-executive director from 2007–13. By 2015, his generation of the Urquhart family were passing over the reins of the business to the fourth generation. Ian’s son Neil now serves as the chair of the Gordon & MacPhail board, while Jenny, his daughter, serves as the chair of another family business, Scottish clothier Johnstons of Elgin.