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News
Construction starts on £15m Ardross Distillery
Ardross Investments has begun work on its new £15 million (US$19m) The Ardross Distillery, which is due to start production in summer 2018.
An artist’s impression of The Ardross Distillery
Highland Council approved plans for an old farm site to be transformed into the Scotch whisky distillery and tasting room in February this year.
Located in the Averon Valley, 30 miles north of Inverness, the construction will involve the refurbishment and extension of a dilapidated farm complex on a private 50-acre site that includes Loch Dubh.
In early 2018, two large copper stills and other process equipment for the distillery will be transported to site. Ardross plans to produce a “very high-quality, niche whisky”, with production slated to begin in summer 2018.
It will also house a gin distillery with plans to launch the first product onto the market in late 2018.
Once completed, The Ardross Distillery will be of similar scale to that of Ballindalloch – Scotland’s first single estate Scotch whisky distillery that started production in 2014.
The steading buildings, farm house and cottages, where were established in the 19th century as part of Ardross Mains Farm, will be retained for the distillery.
Stone and slate will be salvaged from existing buildings that have collapsed and will be used to rebuild walls and roofs of the development.
Walls at the rear of the main steading will be removed and rebuilt to increase the size of the building for a two-storey still house, tun room, mash house and milling area.
The construction of the distillery will include offices and staff accommodation, a blending and product development lab, a vaulted cask storage area and marketing suite.
Donald Mclachlan, Morrison Construction managing director, said: ‘‘Beginning construction is an exciting time and we look forward to continuing our work with Ardross Investments on this new distillery in the Highlands.
‘‘We are proud to be working on this development, which reuses existing materials onsite, preserving the character of historic buildings.”