R&B Distillers’ plans for Isle of Raasey distillery approved

R&B Distillers has been given the green light to build the first legal distillery on the Isle of Raasay in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides.

Planning permission for The Isle of Raasay Distillery has now been granted by the Highland Council

After months of planning, discussions with architects, meetings with the island community, and talks with Raasay vole and bat specialists, planning permission for The Isle of Raasay Distillery has now been granted by the Highland Council.

Construction of the distillery, set in the grounds of former hotel, Borodale House, will start in April 2016, with whisky production expected to begin in early 2017.

The distillery will be equipped with a visitor centre, along with luxury accommodation exclusively for members of its newly-launched Na Tùsairean club.

Translating as ‘The Pioneers’, the club will see the first 100 casks of Raasay whisky bottled exclusively for members, who will receive one bottle each year for ten years.

Work on R&B Distillers’ second planned distillery in the southern Scottish Borders – potentially in Peebles, the most popular location in a recent public vote hosted by the company – is yet to be announced.

Last year R&B Distillers released two whiskies, Raasay While We Wait and Borders, designed to embody the styles of whiskies that will be produced at the respective distilleries.

Company founder, Alasdair Day, worked with an unnamed Highland distillery to create the expressions, which are not sold under any other brand.