MORRISON has started construction work on the new £15 million Ardross Distillery.
Situated in Averon Valley, 30 miles north of Inverness, the project for Ardross Investments Ltd involves the refurbishment and extension of a dilapidated farm complex on a 50-acre site.
Once part of Ardross Mains Farm, the steading buildings, farm house and cottages will all be retained for the distillery. Stone and slate from existing buildings that have collapsed will be used to rebuild walls and roofs.
The walls at the rear of the main steading will be rebuilt to increase the size of the building for a two-storey still house, tun room, mash house and milling area. This building will surround two courtyards.
Two detached cottages either side of the main steading will become offices and staff accommodation while an old dairy building will become a blending and product development lab. A three-storey house at the rear of the site will become a vaulted cask storage area and marketing suite.
Two large copper stills and other process equipment will arrive at the site early next year. Ardross Distillery will also feature a gin distillery with a view to launching its first product in late 2018.
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. ‘We will continue our engagement with local schools and wider community throughout construction ensuring the development has a lasting positive impact.’’
Morrison previously completed a whisky maturation warehouse at Glenmorangie’s Tain distillery.
