Drinks firm to create £4m distillery and brewery

● The move will see visitor numbers double

Scottish drinks brand Eden Mill has unveiled plans to create a £4 million distillery and brewery in Fife which it says will boost tourism in the area.

The expansion project at the drinks firm’s Guardbridge site will see historic former paper mill buildings refurbished to become Eden Mill’s new headquarters – allowing them to increase production of gin, beer and whisky, create more products and retain space for further expansion

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in the future. The new building, which it is hoped will be open by the autumn if planning permission is granted in the next few months, will be situated on the University of St Andrews’ Eden Campus, which is also currently home to a biomass Energy Centre, a key part of the University’s drive to become the UK’S first energy carbon neutral university.

Plans submitted to Fife Council include a café-bar, visitor centre, shop, presentation room and VIP tasting area.

Paul Miller, co-founder of Eden Mill, said: “With ambitions to grow the business, it’s the right time for Eden Mill to move forward with plans for a new distillery and brewery. We have always been pioneering, and this expansion can open the door to new product development and continued success.

“To stay competitive, the spirits industry in Scotland needs to embrace new ideas and experimentation while respecting its heritage and traditions, particularly with whisky. At this new site, Eden Mill will be in the perfect position to invest in new products and lead the way with innovation.”

The firm said the new facility will enable Eden Mill to double the number of tourists taking distillery tours from 25,000 to 50,000 a year.

Mr Miller added: “We firmly believe that this development will greatly benefit the local area and the wider Scottish economy, which is always what we have set out to achieve as a business.”

The site of Eden Mill’s proposed new distillery was once home to the Seggie Distillery and Brewery, founded by the Haig family in 1810. Until 1860, this site produced gin, whisky and beer. Eden Mill said last year that it is on course to double turnover to £9 million in its current financial year following a huge increase in visitor numbers to its distillery and brewery and following a string of lucrative deals.

Three years ago, craft brewer Brewdog also launched its own distillery to run along side its beer-making business.