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Approval sought for Ferintosh whisky distillery
Plans have been submitted to build a new whisky distillery that would bring distilling back to Ferintosh on Scotland’s Black Isle.
Sustainable distilling company Organic Architects has submitted an application with Highland Council for a new whisky distillery, visitor centre and warehouse.
The facility would be located on Mulchaich Farm in Ferintosh, on the Black Isle, Scotland.
Ferintosh used to be a busy distilling district. In the late 18th century, 1,000 people were employed in the local distilling industry, Organic Architects noted.
Bari Reid, director at Organic Architects, said: “Local tradition and archaeological evidence suggests that the ruins at Mulchaich Farm are the remains of one of the original Ferintosh distilleries.
“Today, nothing remains of this lost region which was once Scotland’s biggest whisky producer, and the site is used for sheep-grazing as part of the farmland at Mulchaich.
“The history of the site is the very reason for this proposal coming about, and the research that was carried out for this application has proven that there was distillation on this site.”
In the 1700s, Ferintosh enjoyed a unique tax break granted to the landowner by the king. However, when this was removed in 1886, the local whisky industry collapsed.
If planning approval for the new build is given the green light, it could create up to 30 skilled jobs in the area.
Reid added: “The re-birth of Ferintosh whisky production here is a momentous occasion for Scotland and will bring numerous benefits to the local community.
“The distillery will allow visitors to discover the rich history of this Black Isle district which has been touched by the Jacobite rebellion, the Highland clearances, and contained one of the first legal distilleries in Scotland.
“Given the significance of the archaeology on the farm, local archaeologists and Historic Environment Scotland have been consulted as the design work has progressed. We look forward to continuing to work with them, as well as the local farmer and community, to resurrect the infamous Ferintosh whisky.”
In November last year, Glasgow Whisky applied to upgrade its Speyside Distillery into an energy-efficient facility.
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