MORRIS & Spottiswood has announced an expansion of its presence in the Scottish drinks sector, as work recommences on a new-build distillery project on the island of Islay.
The project, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was briefly halted following the collapse of ISG. However, with the client – a drinks producer – keen to continue the relationship with the project team, Morris & Spottiswood moved to secure key personnel. Completion is expected towards the end of this year.
Drawing on the company’s experience in working in complex and live environments, Morris & Spottiswood revealed it has been able to deliver a ‘seamless’ integration with the project, overcoming logistical challenges to ensure operations continue smoothly.
The location presents challenges due to regular adverse weather and logistical constraints working on an island, with ferries only operating a few times per day, and with competition for space onboard for supplies. Additionally, due to a lack of temporary housing, there are additional steps required to ensure the workforce can remain on the island.
Morris & Spottiswood has utilised the local workforce where possible on Islay.
Jon Dunwell, CEO of the Morris & Spottiswood Group, said, “We are proud to have been able to restart construction on Islay, especially as the former ISG team that worked on the project has been retained with Morris & Spottiswood, something that the client on this project was particularly keen to see. The collaborative effort to ensure continuity and protect the supply chain during this period of change is a testament to the partnership approach that is embedded at all levels in this project.
“This incredibly challenging but rewarding build speaks to our ability as a company to serve businesses in the drinks sector, as well as the need to seamlessly integrate with client process contractors.”
Paul Beaton, development director at Morris & Spottiswood, added, “The team working on the project on Islay have gone above and beyond delivering what will be a world class facility in the most challenging of locations. It has been a truly collaborative approach with the client team and our supply chain partners.
“As such, the team have been nominated for the CIOB Awards 2025 within the Best Team category. We’re delighted that construction has resumed on the island, and this further underpins Morris & Spottiswood’s experience in delivering a wide variety of production and manufacturing services.”
A representative from the distillery client commented, “This build would be complex to deliver anywhere in the world, but for the Morris & Spottiswood project team to do so on the remote island of Islay is a testament to their teamwork. Integrating themselves into the community and working with local providers was key. The team works hard daily to flex timetables and project plans to ensure the project keeps moving forward. The complexity of the process installation alongside the architectural ambition of the build sees them working closely with the client team and having to use dynamic problem solving throughout.”
