The Academy was created by Rachel MacNeill, a local lass born in Colonsay and raised at Daill Farm in Islay. After achieving an MA in Celtic Studies at Glasgow University, Rachel worked for several years in Environmental Architecture and Structural Engineering before being inspired to create Whisky for Girls (and Guys), one of the first ever whisky blogs written by women for women.

A life-changing trip to India inspired Rachel to create Wild and Magic Islay, a business that provided tour experiences that immersed visitors in island life. Next came the Theatre of Drams Whisky Symposium, held in Bowmore Hall. The event featured a series of talks and workshops that educated and informed visitors to the island on all aspects of whisky and whisky production.

It was from this concept that the Islay Whisky Academy grew. Its 5-day residential diploma course covers every aspect of whisky and whisky-making from chemistry, copper, peat, history and heritage, water, barley and yeast to weather, wood, business models, funding, warehousing, customers, distribution, marketing, buyers, drinkers, investors and much, much more.

5-day Residential Diplomas run in March and October.