Whisky distillery plans

It is exciting to hear of R&B Distillers’ plans to build a new whisky distillery in Kintyre.

Once home to more than 30 distilleries, Campbeltown now has just three.

Given it is one of five recognised whisky-producing regions, surely there is space for additional distilleries.

Having more to offer whisky tourists might be enough to tempt them to travel beyond Kennacraig on their way to or from Islay in search of the best water of life Scotland has to offer.

Islay, like Campbeltown, is recognised as a distinct whisky-producing region and, despite being only 25 miles long, it is home to eight distilleries, with two more in the pipeline.

There is perhaps a tendency to think the old names are the best, but if a distillery can produce whisky which reflects the region in which it is made, particularly when the process is as environmentally friendly as possible, what’s not to like?

While the distillery plans are welcome news for Kintyre’s wider economy, it is also the end of an era as another dairy farm ceases production, but the Dhurrie’s previous owners, Tommy and Elaine Ralston, are well due their retirement after four decades in the industry.