Renowned Scottish actor Ewan McGregor has raised £135,000 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) after auctioning 150 exclusive bottles from his own personal 1998 cask of Arran single malt whisky from Lochranza Distillery.
A superb Scotch whisky helps a superb cause
Whisky Auctioneer received over 7,000 bids from 543 bidders across 28 countries for “Ewan’s Cut” Scotch whisky, with the hammer price reaching £119,893, This was further boosted by £15,107, as Whisky Auctioneer waived its seller’s commission and donated its 12.5% buyer’s commission, ensuring that the maximum possible funds reach CHAS.
Bottle #1 of “Ewan’s Cut” achieved a hammer price of £4,350, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a bottle of Arran single malt at auction. This rare 26-year-old Arran single malt, matured in a sherry hogshead cask, is one of the oldest whiskies ever produced by the Lochranza Distillery. The cask was gifted to McGregor by the distillery in 1998, with the team also generously donating their time and expertise to bottle and prepare the whisky for auction. The bottle design and name were inspired by the star’s illustrious career, featuring references to his iconic roles such as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars and Mark Renton in Trainspotting. Each of the 150 bottle labels reads like a mini film script, with no two labels alike.
“What a total! I just want to thank each and every one of our partners for putting the time, effort and work into this endeavour,” McGregor said. “CHAS has always been very close to my heart, and I am so proud that we were all able to raise such a sum for them. I know it’s the children they help and their families who will benefit a lot from this – so thank you very much to everyone involved and to those that placed generous bids in the auction.”
Congratulations to McGregor and everyone involved
Ewan McGregor raises £135K for charity through whisky auction
“It has been a privilege to collaborate with Ewan, Whisky Auctioneer, and the Leith Agency to bring this unique whisky to life, and we are deeply grateful for the support and generosity from everyone involved. The funds raised will make a significant difference in supporting the vital work of CHAS, helping families during their most challenging times,” Euan Mitchell, managing director at Isle of Arran Distillers added.
Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd is an independent producer of Single Malt Whisky on the Isle of Arran, operating two distilleries at opposite ends of the island. Lochranza Distillery was established in 1995 in the village of Lochranza the north-west tip of the Isle of Arran due to its access to the water source, Loch na Davie, which is filtered through six waterfalls before it reaches the distillery in the foothills of the village. The second distillery, Lagg, opened in 2019 at the island’s southern end, producing a heavily peated Lagg Single Malt. As one of the early independent distilleries of the 1990s, the Arran team has built a reputation for quality, making its whisky a respected name in the industry.
Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) offers comprehensive support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families through every stage of their journey. The 2024-2028 Unwavering Care Strategy aims to ensure no family faces a child’s death alone, providing palliative care, and emotional and practical support from diagnosis through to bereavement. CHAS operates two hospices, Rachel House and Robin House, and offers home-based care across Scotland, including a specialist team in every children’s hospital. Its services encompass nursing care, family support, and bereavement counselling, helping families navigate these challenging times with dignity and compassion. You can follow CHAS on Twitter and Instagram: @supportCHAS, or like its page on Facebook to find out how to support the cause.
