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Green light for new grain distillery in Scotland

Planning for the construction of St Boswells Distillery, Scotland’s first grain distillery in a decade, has been approved to start in 2022.

St Boswells Distillery
The project will create 200 construction jobs

Building plans have been permitted for Scotland’s lowest-carbon grain distillery, according to Jackson Distillers, which will be located in Charlesfield Industrial Estate, Boswell, near Melrose.

Trevor Jackson, founder and CEO of Jackson Distillers, said: “This is another significant step forward in the process to create the Scottish borders’ first major grain distillery.

“We have had great support for our proposals from local stakeholders across the region and have worked closely with Scottish Borders Council to ensure we created plans that fit into the landscape, present climate change mitigation opportunities and support the local community.”

The new development will boast the latest distilling technology, designed to reduce carbon emissions and maximise recycling with its zero waste landfill.

It will produce 20 million litres of pure alcohol a year to use in Scotch whisky blending, and as a neutral spirit for both gin and vodka.

The site will source local cereals from the surrounding area of Tweed Valley, and process them into a spirit with renewable energy.

Cereals, once spent, will be passed to the adjacent anaerobic digestion plant, where they will be converted into methane, with the remaining material being used as soil conditioner for the crops.

The approved planning application will facilitate a £46m (US$62m) investment in the local economy, creating approximately 200 construction jobs, along with 20 permanent jobs, which will support the rural community.

Construction for St Boswells Distillery will start next year. It is expected to last 18 months, with the distillery producing spirits by 2024.

Jackson added: “We are grateful to everyone who has helped us to get to this stage and will continue to work with local stakeholders as we now progress with construction.”

Johnnie Walker owner Diageo recently revealed its distillery in Quebec, Canada, is aiming to convert to 100% electric power by 2025.

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