Eden Mill to ‘lead innovation’ with new Fife distillery

Scottish beer and spirits producer Eden Mill has submitted plans to build a new £4 million (US$5.5m) distillery and brewery in St Andrews, Fife.

Artist’s impression of the new Eden Mill brewery and distillery

The producer plans to convert historic paper mill buildings, which are located metres from its current combined distillery and brewery, in order to increase its production of beer, gin and whisky.

The site was once home to the Seggie Distillery and Brewery, founded by the Haig family in 1810. Until 1860, this site produced gin, whisky and beer.

The development will be situated within the University of St Andrews’ new Eden Campus, becoming one of its first tenants. Eden Mill will no longer use its current site, which will be converted into university office accommodation.

Plans submitted to Fife Council include a café/bar, visitor centre, shop, presentation room and VIP tasting area. The new site will double Eden Mill’s current visitor capacity to 50,000 a year.

If the planning application is approved, the new distillery-brewery is set to be operational by this autumn.

“With ambitions to grow the business, it’s the right time for Eden Mill to move forward with plans for a new distillery and brewery,” said Paul Miller, co-founder of Eden Mill. “We have always been pioneering, and this expansion can open the door to new product development and continued success.

“To stay competitive, the spirits industry in Scotland needs to embrace new ideas and experimentation while respecting its heritage and traditions, particularly with whisky. At this new site, Eden Mill will be in the perfect position to invest in new products and lead the way with innovation.”

Eden Mill became the first combined brewery and distillery to open in Scotland in 2014.