Isle of Barra Distillery breaks ground
Construction has officially started on Isle of Barra Distillers’ new production site located on the Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides.
Husband and wife Barra natives Michael and Katie Morrison wanted to create a future for their family and generations to come, and so founded Scotland’s most westerly distillery in 2017.
In 2021, the pair started the planning process for a new distillery located in Castlebay, that would bring whisky production back to the island, and they were given the green light for the build in December 2022.
The £12 million (US$15.17m) distillery will be the largest single private investment ever made on the Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and will bring major benefits to the island’s economy and community, including an estimated 40 new jobs.
Michael said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see this project finally come to life and to be able to share this moment with our family and the people of Barra. This moment has been a long time coming and we’re all excited to be closing out the year on such a high note.
“It feels especially significant as 2024 has been so positive for the business – we’ve secured new listings in major supermarkets around the UK, brought in five new members to the team and opened an office over on the mainland.”
The distillery will not only support the continued economic growth and community development of the region, but will also contribute towards local tourism through a new visitor centre, retail unit and café.
Michael continued: “We see this project as more than just a development. It’s a transformative step for our island community. We’ve always believed in the far-reaching benefits it will bring to the community and that belief is stronger than ever. And this project showcases how small, remote communities can make bold moves to establish themselves on the global stage.”
Michael recognised that “none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our stakeholders, the creativity and expertise of the team behind the build, and, most importantly, the loyalty of our incredible customers”.
The distillery is scheduled to open in October 2026 with production starting shortly after.
Earlier this month, Isle of Barra Distillers offered whisky lovers a taste of what’s to come with the launch of a duo of blended malt whiskies.
The new blended malt whisky and a 10-year-old blended malt join its collection of spirits, which includes Atlantic Gin, Hebridean Vodka and Island Dark Rum.
Earlier this summer, the distillery raised nearly £900,000 (US$1.16m) through its share offer, which will go towards the build of the new distillery.
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