Skye to get second Scotch whisky distillery

Plans to build the Isle of Skye’s second malt whisky distillery have been given the green light.

The Torabhaig Distillery will be the Isle of Skye’s second malt whisky distillery

The Torabhaig Distillery, a subsidiary of Mossburn Distillers, is expected to cost around £5 million and is set to commence production by the end of next year.

It will be created within a 19th century farm on the south east coast of the island.

Sir Ian Noble, a merchant banker and Gaelic language activist, previously owned the site and was reported to have expressed desires that it be be transformed into a distillery before his death in 2010.

Currently, the only malt whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye is Diageo’s Talisker Distillery.

Neil Mathieson, chief executive of Mossburn Distillers, told the BBC: “Skye is renowned all over the world for its natural beauty and cultural heritage and we believe that Torabhaig will be a valuable contribution both to whisky distilling on Skye and to the island’s continuing attraction to international visitors.

“We have a wonderful property in a beautiful setting looking over the Sound of Sleat to Knoydart. It’s a perfect location for a small, traditional distillery and we look forward to working with the local community to bring our plans to life.”

Edinburgh-based architect firm Simpson and Brown is designing the distillery.

Its construction is expected to begin this summer.