Raasay distiller plans new whisky in Argyll
Sights set on Machrihanish farm building as proposed location
Plans for a new distillery in a Campbeltown farm building have been submitted to council chiefs.
R&B Distillers Ltd is hoping to redevelop the building at Dhurrie Farm, with visitor facilities and on-site visitor accommodation as well as a distillery.
Under the plans a premium single malt whisky brand from the new Machrihanish Distillery would be produced at the site, which it is hoped would appeal to a global audience of whisky drinkers.
A decision on the plans is expected from Argyll and Bute Council’s planning officers by early May, and comments can now be submitted by the public.
A statement on the proposals said: “The business has developed a process and wood policy for the Machrihanish single malt that will reflect the Campbeltown style of whisky with a contemporary approach to complement its existing Isle of Raasay single malt, as well as increasing the company’s total addressable market and production output.
“The planned initial production output of the Machrihanish Distillery will be 480,000 litres of pure alcohol per year.
“It is R&B’s ambition to create a truly sustainable distilling process that doesn’t use any fossil fuels or CO2 emitting fuel in the production of their whisky.
“In addition to that, they plan to use regenerative biological farming practices which will improve soil and have a positive impact on the surrounding environment, creating greater biodiversity on the Dhurrie Farm.
“The Campbeltown region is an underserved, sleeping whisky region in Scotland, once home to over 30 distilleries and now just three.
"The local community has welcomed the news of plans for new distilleries in the region, creating inwards investment, as the company predicts to create over 20 new jobs.
“In addition, R&B Distillers’ co-founder Bill Dobbie’s family were from the Campbeltown area, bringing extra conviction to the Machrihanish Distillery’s part to play in regenerating a rural community in Scotland.”