New Benbecula Distillery works underway
Construction has begun on a new distillery in Benbecula, adding a range of exciting spirits to the growing Hebridean drinks market.
Spearheaded by South Uist father and son duo Angus A MacMillan and Angus E MacMillan, Benbecula Distillery will pay homage to the island’s rich maritime heritage with historical and nautical themes throughout the building including a storytelling corner, a seafood bar and a lighthouse offering 360 degree views over Benbecula looking as far as Skye, Harris and The Monach Isles.
Construction and installation of equipment on the site in Gramsdale is to be completed by the end of this year with drinks production due to commence early 2023 and the doors of the distillery opening to the public in the spring. Local contractor MacInnes Bros Ltd has been awarded the contract for the build phase.
The new distillery is expected to offer gin and whisky from Benbecula, adding to an already thriving drinks market in Uist and across the Western Isles.
Benbecula Distillery says its ambition is to produce 500,000 bottles of whisky per year, which it hopes will create around 10 local jobs.
Angus A MacMillan said: “The idea was first born out of realising the opportunity here in the Outer Hebrides for not only a strong drinks market but for the local economic impact in creating good quality jobs which would add to the drive in repopulating the islands with much needed young families.”
Joanna Peteranna, Area Manager at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said “This project will bring much-needed high quality and secure jobs to Benbecula. The plans include green energy technology, which should future proof the business in terms of Scotland’s net zero targets.
“It will also add to the other distillery developments in the Outer Hebrides and will help establish a whisky trail through the islands, which will be attractive for visitors. This is a fantastic project that, comparing levels of population, would create the equivalent of 10,000 jobs in Glasgow. This will be a significant boost to the Outer Hebrides tourism experience.”
Ahead of opening the Benbecula Distillery, the MacMillan family are launching an independent blending and bottling company, MacMillan Spirits Co, which is due to launch this month with a mission statement to ‘Seek out good things to drink and then put them in bottles for you’.
The company’s first batch of drinks includes Machair Gin, made with locally sourced Wild Angelica root, Molucca Golden Rum and a Wheelhouse Single Malt Whisky, which is described as ‘layered and robust with a sweet smokiness and smooth finish’.
