Dalmore Distillery plans multimillion-pound Easter Ross makeover to create 'exceptional' experience
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A £40m investment in a Ross-shire distillery aims to create an 'exceptional' visitor experience for an historic brand reaching a global market.
The Dalmore, on the shores of the Cromarty Firth, is set for a major injection of capital that will transform its offering and allow its "whisky-making artistry to shine".
The proposal by parent company Whyte & Mackay comes amid a wider effort to reposition Easter Ross as a visitor destination in its own right, tapping the massive potential of the North Coast 500 and offering a broad variety of attractions to entice people to stay longer and spend more.
Founded in 1839, The Dalmore has established itself as producer of an exceptional single malt Scotch whisky recognised around the world. Despite experiencing phenomenal demand for its whisky, the distillery has retained a uniquely intimate scale.
A planning application which has been lodged by Whyte & Mackay proposes a new whisky-making facility and visitor experience which would "retain the distinctive character of the distillery".
It proposes an eye-catching pagoda atop the Old Dalmore Kiln, marking the heart of the "reimagined" distillery.
It says the existing estate will be re-purposed, "breathing new life into historic realms, to create an iconic distillery, home to an exceptional single malt".
The firm says its vision "is to honour the whisky-making artistry that takes place at The Dalmore" which is known for its "idiosyncratic symphony of stills and curation of exquisite casks".
The company says the investment will ensure a sustainable future for The Dalmore and its exceptional whisky-making.
Last year, parent group Whyte and Mackay Ltd published The Green Print, a sustainability strategy which set the objective to become Net Zero by 2040. It says the new investment will help transition the site "to a green energy solution".
The Dalmore says it continues to enjoy unrivalled demand to become the fastest growing single malt. Last year, The Dalmore, achieved record-breaking performance at auction at Sotheby’s Hong Kong and it has been recognised as one of the world’s most investible brands.
Threesixty Architecture has been appointed architects with Blyth and Blyth Consulting Engineers lead designers and whisky industry authority Forsyths consultants on the process and the whisky-making aspect of the development.
An investment of around £40m is envisaged over a timescale of two to three years.
Around 20 people work at The Dalmore now with specialist support across the group.
A spokesman said: "In time we will be developing a small, yet exceptional visitor experience and expect to resource it appropriately when we are open."
The formal application has only just been made and from breaking ground, it is expected the programme will take in the region of 24-36 months.
A spokesman told the Ross-shire Journal: "We will take great care to transition and retain the unique intimate nature of the site and critically our symphony of stills – they are truly unique and vital to develop the depth of our distinctive new make. The development will take time to make certain the new regal still house replicated the character of our new make."
The move comes at a time when the Easter Ross Peninsula as a whole is being marketed as a visitor destination of choice.
Although benefitting from proximity to the North Coast 500, the key message from the Easter Ross Peninsula is: "Slow down, escape to somewhere wonderful and make memories."
The area's whisky-making heritage is seen as one of the key attractions in addition to some magnificent landscapes, culture and history.
Related: Dalmore dram amongst 'once in a lifetime' auction
'Slow down, explore and make memories' call from Easter Ross Peninsula
