Damian Riley-Smith: Publishing & drinks entrepreneur
Damian Riley-Smith grew up in Norfolk but has strong family connections with Jura \u2013 both the island and the whisky. A born entrepreneur, he avoided studies during his time at Cambridge University because he was busy running three enterprises he had started up \u2013 a magazine, a nightclub and boxer short business. Yep \u2013 it was the 80s!\n\nAfter a brief spell in venture capital, he then moved into magazine publishing, which has been the focus of his career ever since, drawing him back to both Scotland and whisky. He\u2019s the founder of Scotland magazine and Whisky magazine, and has gone on to build a publishing empire based around drinks, hospitality, events and awards \u2013 culminating in his renovation of Rothes Glen Castle on Speyyside, turning it into a luxury retreat for whisky lovers.\n\nInterviewed by Fraser Allen on 25 February 2022.\nwww.allencomms.co.uk