Who are you?
“I am Ian McLaren, a Colinton Resident and now the Founder of The Wandering Hours Gin.
You can learn more about me here via LinkedIn.“
Why did you create The Wandering Hours Gin?
“The Wandering Hours Gin was created to celebrate Colinton and Edinburgh South-West – where I call home with my partner, Bonita. It’s a love letter to the place we have come to love.
I saw that Edinburgh South-West’s interesting history and remarkable beauty are somewhat overlooked compared to other parts of the city – and I wasn’t alone – there is an organised effort by residents here to boost the local economy, attracting visitors to the Colinton Tunnel Mural and the building of The Hub in Spylaw Park.
In Scotland, we tell stories with alcoholic spirits. Edinburgh is a gin city, world-renowned for its pristine spirits that tell the stories of where they come from.
So, I put my own knowledge and experience into creating something that could celebrate Colinton and Edinburgh South-West in restaurants, bars and at dinner tables around the country. Hopefully, around the world.
We’ll be launching the gin to coincide with 100 years of Colinton too”
What inspires you?
“How I saw life change when I moved to Colinton. In the city, life happens so quickly; it’s chaotic and loud. You find ways of blocking out things around you. I mostly lived my life online – with work or scrolling.
That changed when I moved here. I – like many of our generation – was searching for a quieter life where I could live for today. I enjoyed aimlessly wandering in the hills and dells, learned about our local flora and wildlife – which are so abundant in this area – and worked with a tree care company in my spare time.
I spend much, much less time thinking about online problems, and try to spend my time much more wisely.
Living in a place like Colinton taught me a valuable lesson: Life’s joy reveals itself when we take the time to notice.
We built our whole philosophy around what makes places like Colinton unique.
We distil our gin with local botanicals that are just on my doorstep, slowly and gently.
It makes the Foulis Sundial such an interesting symbol to me – it is where place (as in location) meets our philosophy.
What makes your gin Unique?
“Our gin’s flavour unfolds slowly and naturally – it takes you on a journey from one place to another. I think that’s unusual. It’s reminiscent of the famous honey Colinton produces, which makes the gin terroir for our landscapes.
I have a background in using botanical extracts, too. So, I understand how delicate compounds and aromatics can alter the physiological effects of substances, like alcohol. It made us approach the production methods differently.
We made sure to find a process that coaxed the essential oils from each botanical, using an unusually slow and gentle 8-hour method of production – in a copper bain-marie still.
Taking our time has a real impact on how the gin tastes – and feels. I think it makes all the difference.
What’s the most “You” decision you made while developing the gin (something people advised against)
“On multiple occasions, the sun was singled out as not being quite right, but something about it was interesting, eye-catching, and appealed to me.
It was inspired by the face on the Foulis sundial and illustrated by my mum – so there was a little bit of a personal bias towards it.
I think there is something old-world and mystical about it, that connected with the nostalgia and emotions I felt about the story The Wandering Hours was trying to tell.
It was kept throughout all of our design iterations, and I’m really happy it made it to the finished bottle.
How do you drink your own gin? (& where is your idea spot?)
“I love to drink malt whisky, so I like to drink gin similarly to how I drink whisky.
To unlock all of the flavours, nuances and delicate notes from a whisky, you add just a splash – even a drop – of water. Gin is the same once you add tonic.
I really like the fact that the gin has nowhere to hide, and with a particularly aromatic gin, you can taste it exactly as it was intended.
In our house, we have a south-facing window – its right at the spot where the vinyl record sounds the best on the speakers too. Give me a Friday after a beautiful summer’s day, you’ll find me slow sipping, watching the world go by.”
Your generation are drinking less, why create a gin?
“All the analysis says people are drinking less than they used to. I am part of that cultural shift too. I drink much less – probably because I am getting older and have much more responsibility.
But, I stand against an “all or nothing” drinking culture; I see myself – and those around me – simply picking and choosing their moments better.
While I do drink less, I drink much better. I pick my moments
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