New Scottish distilleries to start production

Two new multi-million pound distilleries in the Scottish Highlands and Islands – on the Morvern peninsula and Isle of Skye – are set to start production in the coming months.

Drimnin Distillery on the Morvern Peninsula will soon start production

Plans were first approved to build Skye’s second malt whisky distillery – The Torabhaig Distillery, a subsidiary of Mossburn Distillers – in February 2014.

The distillery, based within a 19th century farm on the south east coast of the island, received £712,615 investment from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and is set to open later this year.

It will produce around 1.5 million bottles of malt whisky a year and is forecast to attract up to 50,000 tourists to its visitor centre annually.

“We are delighted with progress at Torabhaig Distillery and look forward to the first spirit being distilled soon,” said Finlay Calder, projects director at Mossburn Distillers.

“Restoration work on the 19th century steading buildings that house the distillery and visitor centre has been carried out, creating a modern and functional facility fit for the 21^st century. We are very proud of it.”

Mossburn Distillers hopes its “flagship” Torabhaig Distillery will act as a “springboard” for future inward investment in other distilling operations, including bottling and warehousing in the Scottish Borders.

Drimnin Distillery on the Morvern Peninsula, which has attracted investment of £168,709 from HIE and up to £431,291 through the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation grant scheme, will begin production of its single malt whisky in early 2017.

The distillery, based in farm buildings opposite the historic Drimnin Estate, will use a “blend of traditional and modern techniques”.

“After several years in the planning, it is hugely exciting to see the new distillery starting, literally, to take shape,” said its CEO Annabel Thomas. “Interest in small, quality spirit producers and single malt whisky continues to grow and we are looking forward to offering something a little bit different to consumers around the world.

“It has been critical from the earliest planning stages that the new distillery is sustainable, both socially and environmentally. The social benefits include attracting more visitors to the area, boosting the resident population and providing well-paid, skilled jobs in rural Scotland.

“Our investment will create a process that works with nature in this beautiful location – local timber will generate heat for the distillery and by-products will be used as feed and fertiliser on local farms.”