Refreshed designs unveiled for new Scottish distillery

Scottish distilling company Ardgowan has unveiled ambitious new designs for its distillery and visitor centre in Inverclyde.

Refreshed designs have been released for the distillery building and visitor centre, on which construction is due to start later this year.

Styled on a Nordic long hall, the new distillery design has ergonomics and energy efficiency at the heart. It will be constructed using low environmental impact composite cladding, timber and steel and will incorporate a glass-walled "sky platform", giving visitors views over the River Clyde. 

Ardgowan has also pledged that its distillery will be carbon negative and is working with specialist engineers to incorporate innovations in energy reduction, heat recovery and carbon capture in the build.

In June 2021, it was confirmed that the Ardgowan Distillery project would go ahead following an £8.4 million investment, led by Roland Grain with additional funding from Distil Plc. 

These new designs for the site on the Ardgowan Estate supercede those that secured planning consent in 2019. A response to the new designs is expected  from the planning authority in early 2022, after which construction can commence, with hopes that the distillery will be operational in 2023.

Commenting on the proposal, Roland Grain said: "My passion for whisky began as a teenager in Austria when I began collecting Scotch whisky and my wish is for this project to create the highest possible quality whisky and a lasting connection to the community in Inverclyde.

"I hope [the distillery] will stand out as a 'cathedral to whisky' and put this corner of Inverclyde firmly on the tourist map."

Martin McAdam, distillery CEO, said: "This project will be a major boost to the local economy, both during construction and in operation ... Our goal is to build a world-class whisky distillery and visitor centre which will attract tourists and bring economic and social benefits to Inverclyde."

7 January 2022 - Bethany Whymark