After 27 years rejoicing in the title of master whisky maker for Highland Park, Gordon Motion has stepped back from that key role. Motion was responsible for creating the Orcadian malt’s landmark 56-year-old expression and its first cask strength releases, as well as introducing it to the global travel retail arena during his time at the helm.
His successor is Marc Watson, latterly master blender for the Famous Grouse and Naked Malt brands, and a figure with a great deal of experience across the brewing and distilling industries.
In a statement at the time of his retirement, Motion said, “I couldn’t ask for a better successor than Marc Watson to take Highland Park into the future. His attention to detail, deep knowledge and love of whisky and distilling, together with his creative flair, makes him the ideal person to become Highland Park’s next master whisky maker.”
Like many of his contemporaries, Watson gained a master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling from Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University, before embarking on a career in brewing with Broughton Ales in the Scottish Borders, while time was also spent with the Old Worthy Brewery Company in Edinburgh.
Watson’s introduction to professional distilling came courtesy of gin production at the Shetland Distillery Company on the island of Unst, followed by a stint as brewer and distiller at Eden Mill in Fife.
As he explains, “I went on to put together John Crabbie & Co’s new Bonnington distillery in Leith for Halewood Artisanal Spirits, and worked with Nick Ravenhall, developing Holyrood Distillery, ultimately becoming head of spirit operations.”
In 2023, Watson was awarded Distillery Manager of the Year in the Scotland round of the World Whiskies Award’s annual Icons of Whisky, and in the same year he was appointed by Edrington as master blender for the Famous Grouse and Naked Grouse.
“I felt I went from apprentice to journeyman to master quite quickly,” says Watson, “but it actually took 10 years. I was encouraged by incredible mentors, including Stuart Nickerson in Shetland and Nick Ravenhall.”
For six months prior to taking up his new role with Highland Park, Watson worked alongside Motion, which he describes as “watching a real master at work”. He continues, “Gordon and I are very alike and get on so well. If I have half as much success as him, I’ll be very happy. I’ve had Gordon’s brain for the last six months, and there’s also the legacy of former master blender John Ramsay and master whisky maker Max McFarlane at Edrington. The fire is to add my own layers of creativity.
“I’m good at analytics, but whisky making was my favourite thing to do. I got to tap into minds like Gordon’s, and his patience is limitless! He knows the stocks and also can trust his palate. Coming from start-ups, I took a three to seven years overview. Gordon is looking decades on.”
Regarding his role as master whisky maker for Highland Park, Watson says, “I’m responsible for shaping every drop of Highland Park that reaches the glass, from core expressions to limited editions. It’s about being true to standards — preserving the soul of Highland Park — with things like the natural colour and dedication to flavour.
“I work closely with the stock planning team for the future and am always looking to elevate what we do and how we do it. Edrington has an incredible research department. Great whisky doesn’t just happen, it’s about creativity and consistency, tradition and innovation. Quality and excellence have to be at the heart of every decision. If it’s not right, it just doesn’t go out.”
The Edrington team noses around 5,500 samples of Highland Park per year, and Watson notes that “everything between five and eight years of age is sampled, with the samples all being sent down to our offices at Great Western Road in Glasgow”.
Focusing on the essence of the whisky he makes, Watson declares, “For me, Highland Park starts with the heather and what it gives to the peat. Consistency and craft in the floor malting and in cask selection are key. The sherry-seasoned casks regime shaped by Gordon is vital. Layer all of that around Orkney’s environment. Highland Park should be a study in balance and complexity.”
2024 saw a well-received packaging update of the core range that subtly emphasises the whisky’s Orkney home, and this year’s ‘Different by Nature’ marketing campaign features Orkney locals. “You see Orkney’s influence on everything Highland Park now,” says Watson, who travels from his home in Kinross, south of Perth, to Orkney four times a year, spending extended periods of time on the islands. “I also go there for brand events” he notes, “and I’ve been building relationships at the distillery.”
He adds, “I always want to be the hardest worker in the room. I love data and I never stop learning. Whisky is evolving all over the world. I try to be generous with my time, as I’ve worked with so many brilliant teachers. I like to pay that forward, to help bring on the next lot of whisky makers.”
The most recent Highland Park release is Sherry Skies, a limited-edition whisky intended to celebrate Gordon Motion’s achievements and legacy. It comprises 19-year-old malt from six sherry-seasoned casks, plus the contents of three bourbon casks.
“Bottlings over the next couple of years will have been created in collaboration with Gordon, but after that, they will all be mine,” notes Watson. “I can’t say anything about forthcoming releases, but I’m really excited by them. There are some excellent ones coming up.”
In terms of his personal favourite expressions, Watson says, “There are some unbelievable historic Highland Park bottlings, and I love the pineapple and tropical fruits of the 15-year-old, while everybody remembers the first time that they tried the 18-year-old. I was also a huge Dark Origins fan.”
Reflecting on his career to date and present position, Marc Watson says that “I went from a tiny brewery to here, which is nuts. I don’t know what’s above my dream job!”
