DISTILLERS on a Scottish island have broken ground on a new £12 million distillery which will become Scotland's most westerly production hub.
The distillery in Barra will be the largest single private investment ever made on the island in the Outer Hebrides and hopes to bring major benefits to the island’s economy and community.
Husband and wife team Michael and Katie Morrison, who are natives to the island, founded the award-winning distillery in 2017 with the aim of creating a future on the island for their family for generations to come.
The couple have three children, Micheal, six, Ada, four, and Ruaridh, two.
The team quickly grew out of their existing gin distillery site, and in 2021 started the planning process for a new distillery that would bring whisky production back to the island.
It is hoped that the investment in the family distillery will bring a number of new jobs to the island, and support local tourism through a new visitor centre, retail unit and cafe.
For the first phase of the construction Isle of Barra Distillers has brought in Hebridean construction firm, MacInnes Bros Limited to ensure sensitivity to the island's unique environment.
Michael said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see this project finally come to life and to be able to share this moment with our family and the people of Barra. This moment has been a long time coming and we’re all excited to be closing out the year on such a high note.
"It feels especially significant as 2024 has been so positive for the business - we’ve secured new listings in major supermarkets around the UK, brought in five new members to the team and opened an office over on the mainland.
“We see this project as more than just a development. It’s a transformative step for our island community. We’ve always believed in the far-reaching benefits it will bring to the community and that belief is stronger than ever. And this project showcases how small, remote communities can make bold moves to establish themselves on the global stage.
“None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our stakeholders, the creativity and expertise of the team behind the build, and, most importantly, the loyalty of our incredible customers. A special mention must also go to our extraordinary team at Isle of Barra Distillers.
"Their passion, hard work, and belief in our vision have driven us forward every single day. To see how far we’ve come this year is no surprise when you have a team like ours behind it all."
The distillery is scheduled to open in October 2026 with production starting shortly after.
Earlier this month, the company offered whisky lovers a taste of what’s to come with the launch of two blended malt whiskies.
