More than 3,000 young people in Scotland have been helped into employment, education, or training thanks to the money raised through the three high-profile Distillers One of One auctions, according to figures unveiled at an event in Edinburgh on Tuesday night.

The Distillers’ Charity — the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, one of London’s historic livery companies, which traces its roots back to 1638 — has held three Distillers One of One auctions at Hopetoun House near Edinburgh in 2021, 2023, and 2025. Last year’s auction raised £2.3 million, taking the total garnered by the trio of events to £6.6 million.

That money is used by the Youth Action Fund to support six charities — Aberdeen Foyer, Action for Children, Enable Works, Family Action in Rogerfield & Easterhouse (Fare), Street League, and the Talk About Trust — which work with disadvantaged young people aged between 16 and 25 who live in the areas where distilleries or other Scotch whisky facilities are based. During the past year, a further 1,000 young people reached “employability outcomes”, taking the total since 2022 over the 3,000 mark.

“An employability outcome is a job, training, an apprenticeship, or some form of further education,” said Grant Gordon — chairman of the Distillers’ Charity and a scion of the family that owns William Grant & Sons, the maker of blends including Grant’s and Famous Grouse, and single malts such as Glenfiddich and the Balvenie — during Tuesday night’s event in Scotland’s capital city.

Gordon explained that the Distillers’ Company commissioned independent research in 2025 from Research Scotland, an organisation that carries out analysis on behalf of public sector bodies and charities. “I picked out three words from their report, which I think summarise what makes the Youth Action Fund approach effective — they were ‘flexible’, ‘person-centred’, and ‘holistic’,” he added.

The highlight of the evening for many people in the audience was hearing from four young people who have been helped by the charities. Louise Stevenson, fund manager at Inspiring Scotland, the organisation that runs the Youth Action Fund on behalf of the Distillers’ Charity, told the quartet of young people on the stage: “Hearing your stories is the reason we’re here tonight. It reminds us that behind everything that we’ve talked about — the partnership, the effort, the auction — are real young people building their futures. It reminds us why this work matters and why we continue to do it.”

Karmela Jones, who decided she wanted to work in the construction industry after having the chance to visit a McTaggart Group construction site, said: “I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for Street League. They really help when you struggle with neurodivergency. I’m more confident asking for help now.”

Annalise Clark explained how Enable Works had helped in developing a career as a welder, which has led to a job with BAE Systems, beginning in August. “I went through quite a traumatic experience when I was quite young, so that caused me to isolate myself,” Clark explained. “I definitely wouldn’t be where I am now without Enable — I still probably would be cooried-up in my room, hiding away from the world.”

Michael Fairweather shared how Action for Children had helped him develop a career in the construction industry. “I’ve never really liked school that much – I’ve always found it really hard to concentrate,” he said. “A lot of the skills I got through Action for Children really helped with my teamwork, my confidence, and being able to express my ideas in a group dynamic.”

Abigail Clayton joined a course to learn about childcare. “Before I took part in the course, I was very quiet and lacked confidence and had no self-esteem,” Clayton said. “But throughout the course, the support from staff and experience of my placement really helped bring me out of my shell and grow my confidence.”

The evening was rounded off by Beanie Geraedts-Espey, managing director of the Distillers One of One auction, who thanked the distilleries that had donated bottles and casks. “The Youth Action Fund is funded solely by the Distillers One of One,” she noted. “Without the auction, there is no fund and there is no transformational work. The £6.6 million we have raised to date has been the product of passion, determination, and utter conviction in the power of our industry to be a force for change, prosperity, and joy.”