Laggan Bay Distillery project gets green light

Plans have been approved for a new distillery on Islay, which would be the island's 12th whisky production facility.

The application for Laggan Bay Distillery was submitted by the Islay Boys, current producer of Islay Ales, and encompasses a distillery to produce a traditional double-distilled island whisky as well as a new building to house brewing equipment.

The proposed two-hectare distillery and brewery site is situated close to Islay airport and less than a mile from the island's longest beach, the Big Strand in Laggan Bay.

To support the delivery of the project, the Islay Boys have announced a partnership with Ian Macleod Distillers, which owns whisky brands including Glengoyne, Smokehead, Tamdhu and Langs.

Leonard Russell, chairman of Ian Macleod Distillers, said: "I have known and worked with the Islay Boys for a long time, and I'm delighted to be able to bring our long experience in creating quality Scotch single malts to the Laggan Bay Distillery project."

4 August 2022 - Bethany Whymark