THE FLYING FARMER Turning 365 Days Per Year

Established in 2007, John's Flying Farmer business embraces so much that is synonymous with Scotland – remoteness, farming, and the ever changing weather.

Turning 365 Days Per Year relates to his commercial areas of operation which include flying helicopters, farming electricity through hydro schemes, farm scale wind turbines and driving an electric car. Farming a variety of animals is of course very much 365 days also.

John Mckenzie

John Mckenzie in the cockpit

John Mckenzie is The Flying Farmer, a helicopter pilot, farmer and green energy advocate.

Update: May 25th 2023

In 2013 I began progressing the reinstatement of whisky distilling at Dingwall on my farm and GlenWyvis Distillery formed as a farm diversification project.

In June 2023 I will be telling my story of the first 10 years of the project I started and why I chose to sell to a new landlord

An update from GlenWyvis Distillery Founder and DWDT by John F Mckenzie

"In 2013 I proceeded with my idea of founding a distillery at my farm overlooking Dingwall, building on the vast history of distilling in the area. GlenWyvis was created through my family links at Evanton and Dingwall, the distillery opened 5 years ago. Like many towns Dingwall has suffered from shop closures as people purchase products online. With the mart already moved out of Dingwall the project ethos was that the new distillery would be community owned, run and managed by those living within the local community with the golden egg being the planned visitor centre designed beside the original Ferintosh/Ben Wyvis distillery at the entrance to Dingwall-a cinema, restaurant, shop and tasting/event rooms were planned. It is envisioned that links from the town visitor centre to the farm distillery would progress. Risks around documented Highland planning issues were highlighted to potential investors in the project.

Investment in the distillery remains primarily for social and environmental reasons including my own.

The distillery recently released its first single malt.

In 2021 the Dingwall Whisky Distillery Trust was established by me to ensure local oversight of the land GlenWyvis Distillery and its Warehouses are tenants of.

As founder of GlenWyvis Distillery and DWDT I have decided that the time is right to pass on the responsibility and legacy of the unique position of owning the farm and being landlord to the distillery. I know there are many passionate whisky enthusiasts who will enjoy becoming involved in developing projects.

It is hoped that a buyer will be found who will continue my work, building links within the local area around innovation and green energy, perhaps even bringing the first electric hillside tram to Scotland!

As landlord to GlenWyvis Distillery the new owner will have various responsibilities and attend all distillery committee meetings.

A detailed pack (with lease documents and farm financials) is available through agents by completing the form below who will provide further information.

Expressions of Interest

Flying

An ex-Army Air Corps helicopter pilot, John has flown on military and commercial operations worldwide for over 20 years.

He is currently available for all types of helicopter contract work.

Farming

John's farming roots can be traced back to his great grandfather, Kenneth Mckenzie of Evanton, who invented the famous Mckenzie Turnip Cutter before the second world war.

John manages a range of livestock including alpacas, Belted Galloways, British Saddleback pigs and Zwartble Sheep.

Green Energy

Using his own farm as starting point, in 2009 John took his various experiences, particularly those from visiting the remote islands of Scotland, and embarked on a number of projects to promote local energy production and saving. The result is a farm that harnesses the wind, rain and sun for energy production.

A whisky distillery in Dingwall again! John's quest to bring whisky distilling back to Dingwall

For over 10 years John has been visiting the distilleries of Scotland, when a chance meeting with a renowned whisky guide planted a seed that was to reveal so much about the history of whisky from his home town.

Find out about John's plans to reinstate a Lost Distillery at Dingwall