Brothers blaze trail with new f iery malt

IT is often called ‘firewater’ – and two Scottish brothers have taken the name literally.

Phil and Simon Thompson have started making whisky in a fire station in the Highlands and hope to have their first single malt ready in five years.

The pair from Dornoch in Sutherland launched a crowd-funding campaign to raise cash to transform the 136-year-old building in their town into one of Scotland’s smallest distilleries.

Investors from as far afield as Australia, Hong Kong and the US pledged their support and the Dornoch Distillery has also received funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise for equipment to kickstart the unusual project.

The brothers had considered turning the fire station in the grounds of Dornoch Castle Hotel into a spa or a house, but eventually decided it would be the perfect location for a distillery.

Phil Thompson, 31, said: ‘We are avid whisky drinkers and are adopting 19th Century production techniques. There is no pole in the fire station, but the original hand pump still exists.’

The brothers, who are also making gin, plan to offer discounts for Dornoch residents and stage local open days.

Phil added: ‘We are planning on doing something with the local fire brigade, too.’