MORAY Council has given the green light to plans for an on-site bistro at Coleburn Distillery in Longmorn, Elgin.
The move marks a milestone in the site’s wider masterplan to create a ‘world-class’ whisky and hospitality resort, anticipated to be the first of its kind globally.
With an opening targeted for late autumn this year, The Kitchery at Coleburn will be housed within the former Piggery building. Once used for livestock, the structure is being reimagined as a contemporary bistro showcasing food and drink rooted in locally sourced Scottish produce.
The project is described as involving the careful adaptation of the historic building for modern use while preserving its original character.
Developed in collaboration with design studio Significant Others, the project reflects a multi-million-pound investment in the region. It is expected to create 15 direct jobs.
Gwenda Smits, director at Coleburn, said, “This marks the first of many milestones in the development of the wider Coleburn Whisky Resort. The Kitchery is just the start and breaking ground feels like a very special moment.”
The architectural approach to The Kitchery draws on traditional forms balanced with contemporary interventions. New glazed façades will aim to create a ‘warm and inviting’ arrival, while the building’s elongated form has been used to choreograph a considered customer journey, with each stage offering a distinct and evolving experience.
The experience will begin with a bar and retail space. From there, guests will move into a private dining and tasting room, divided by a bespoke stave wall. Beyond this, the space will open out into a bistro with a mix of booths and flexible seating for up to 62 guests. At its heart, a chef’s table-style finishing kitchen will be designed to add a touch of theatre.
Ruth Hay, director at Significant Others, added, “It’s an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved. Seeing The Kitchery come to life this year will mark a significant milestone, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum with the next phases of the masterplan as the wider vision for Coleburn continues to unfold.”
Construction began on the site last month, with the installation of a biomass boiler implemented as part of a broader commitment to sustainability, in collaboration with Reheat.
Neil Harrison, director at Reheat, commented, “We’ve been working with the team at Coleburn on how best to underpin their operations with low carbon energy for some years now, and it’s fantastic to see this first practical step being taken on their journey to bring their plans to reality with the installation of a district heating network to meet the heating and hot water needs of multiple buildings on the site.”
