Every story begins somewhere, and ours begins on the Isle of Arran. This small island is known for its purity, craft heritage and deep connection to fermentation. It is also home to the Marigot Group’s two whisky distilleries, Lagg and Lochranza. Their long tradition of fermentation provided the inspiration for the creation of Arran Biotics.
As part of the Marigot Group, Arran Biotics embraces the principles of circularity and resource stewardship. The distillery by-products generated at Lagg and Lochranza are rich in naturally occurring nutrients and microbial-derived compounds. Rather than allowing these materials to go unused, we repurpose them as valuable substrates for scientific study and bioactive development. This approach allows us to respect the island’s resources while advancing meaningful research in a sustainable way.
Arran Biotics specialises in the development of postbiotic ingredients: biologically active compounds produced through microbial activity that remain effective even in the absence of live cells.
Our work is grounded in the belief that natural systems, when understood through science, can meaningfully support health and performance. Fermentation lies at the centre of this philosophy. In whisky production, yeast, water and barley interact in large pine washbacks, forming complex microbial environments that influence the chemistry and structure of the fermenting liquid.
These ecosystems highlight nature’s capacity to produce metabolites, peptides, organic acids and signalling molecules that hold biological relevance beyond distilling. They mirror mechanisms involved in gut barrier support, immune function and cellular communication. This scientific connection led to the foundation of Arran Biotics and positioned the Isle of Arran as the natural home for our research.
The island’s clean environment, mineral balanced water and culture of patience and precision align with our study of bioactive compounds produced through microbial activity. Our work focuses on extracellular vesicles, peptides, organic acids and other microbial signals known for their roles in epithelial protection, immune modulation and microbial balance. Ongoing studies examine their influence on gut integrity, inflammation and resilience.
This research is carried out with academic partners in Ireland, the Netherlands and the United States. Early findings reinforce the biological importance of the compounds we investigate and provide momentum for future development.
What began with the fermentation heritage of a remote Scottish island has grown into a broader scientific mission. Our aim is to translate natural microbial systems into consistent, biologically meaningful postbiotic ingredients for both human and animal health. This is only the beginning of the Arran Biotics journey within the Marigot Group, and there is much more to share in the months ahead.