Workdays and Weekends: Simon Fairclough

Nestled at the foot of Glenshee, Persie Gin Distillery produces some of the finest quality gin in the country! We think it's great that the distillery is right on our doorstep here in Perthshire!

The brains behind Persie Gin is Simon Fairclough - who has created a unique brand of gin with the perfect interplay of aroma and taste.

We wanted to find out more about the man behind the gin - so we caught up with Simon to find out more about his job, and how he likes to spend his time off!

What does a typical day at work look like for you?

Varied! This ranges from preparing botanicals for one of our gins, running Phil the Still, bottling, labelling, planning marketing campaigns or invoicing!

What signals the start of your weekend / days off?

I have to confess as a new business this doesn’t happen very often! When I plan a day not working it’s when my wife and I pack the car with my cocker spaniel and Labrador and hit the road for a day trip and overnight somewhere. Favourite spots are Dalmunzie Castle in Glenshee and Kinloch House Hotel near Dunkeld.

What might people be surprised to know about you?

I compete in longbow archery competitions across Scotland. I don’t win very often!

Top of your bucket list?

Going on an African safari!

Worst job you’ve ever had?

I’ve had a couple of jobs where politics got in the way of getting the job done. Not healthy, not fun, not for me.

Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by making something out of nothing. The manufacturing industry has always fascinated me and I finally feel I’m where I belong in an industry making craft spirits.

Tell us about the weekend you’d love to live again?

A weekend retreat with my dining club friends. We stayed at a shooting lodge in Perthshire and brought in an amazing chef. Fishing, hill walking and duck flighting followed by an incredible tasting menu was a perfect way to spend the time!

What’s the best part about your job?

Making gin! The highlight is nosing and tasting the first of the heart coming off the still.

What’s in the perfect day off breakfast?

Making a birthday breakfast for my wife: tumeric scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and champagne. She is very insistent that this is the only way to start a birthday.

Complete this sentence; The best things in life are….

Family get-togethers – my wife, my mother, my boys, my in-laws and all our dogs on a sunny day having a BBQ in the garden.