Great News for whisky lovers

Paul McLean; Ardnamurchan; Mainland Britain's most westerly point. It is a rocky outcrop Corrachadh Mòr, 3/4 of a mile south of Ardnamurchan Point, a peninsula that pokes oot towards the islands of Mull and Eigg, Rum and more distant, Skye to its north. I have been here many times, both with tourist groups and on my own personal trips, a fantastic wee place.  A bloody hard place to get to mind, wee roads or ferry, in fact the ferry from Tobermory on Mull, is more like a landing craft than a ferry! In July I will be going again. THIS story was penned here.

PAUL; "BEING A MCLEAN, I HAVE VOWED TO BE FIRST INTO THIS NEW DISTILLERY WHENEVER IT IS READY, ITS MY CLAN LAND AFTER ALL!"

On the map you will see maclean's Nose, it's no mine, this is ancient Clan Maclean land. Kilchoan is where you take the ferry to or from Tobermory on Mull. The isle of Muck is just sneakin into the map at the top, Glenborrowdale and Glenbeg are also on the map.

17^thApril 2012   Approval for 'The Ardnamurchan Distillery'  Adelphi Distillery Limited is delighted that Highland Council’s South Highland Planning Applications Committee have approved their proposals today to build a distillery at Glenbeg, Ardnamurchan. The approval of the application comes following a site visit at Glenbeg and subsequent determination at the Shielbridge Hall, Acharacle. This decision represents a landmark chapter in Adelphi’s life – bringing the business back into the production of single malt whisky in over one hundred years. All 7 Highland councillors voted in favour of the Glenbeg distillery development, which was strongly recommended for approval by Highland Council officials. Ken McCorquodale, senior planner at Highland Council and planner to the development, presented the application placing emphasis on the suitability of the development as in keeping with the soon to be adopted Highland Wide Local Development Plan which supports development in fragile, rural communities. The significant positive impacts of the proposals outweighed the concerns that were raised.  Below; what the distillery may look like.

Keith Falconer, Chairman, Adelphi Distillery commented: “I am delighted that councillors have today unanimously approved our proposals for a distillery at Glenbeg, a decision that we believe reflects the strong support received from the West Ardnamurchan Community Council and the local community as a whole. We are confident that this development will help to strengthen the local economy and, most importantly, bring further traditional and sustainable jobs back to this community. The site visit today confirmed to councillors that the Glenbeg location has several significant benefits for a distillery development, in particular access to the clearest and purest of water and a cool and damp climate for the slow maturation of the casks. Glenbeg's situation is easily accessible to local timber supplies and the on-site hydroelectricity will heat and power our small, but technologically advanced, facility. The benefits to Adelphi of being able to take control of production for the first time in 100 years are overwhelming; in particular the ability to protect our name and quality by having control over raw materials and distillation.” The Ardnamurchan Distillery will provide up to 10 new, long term jobs, and support up to 100 local construction jobs - mainly with Lochaber based firm Global Construction Limited. A highly experienced team will run the new distillery and its visitor centre, which, as a year round visitor attraction has the potential to bring 20,000 visitors per year to the area.  Donald Houston, Managing Director, Adelphi Distillery Ltd commented: “Throughout the entire process we have sought to ensure our plans are sympathetic and in keeping with this beautiful corner of the world whilst also meeting with the objectives to create a world class whisky product unique to the Ardnamurchan peninsula. We are delighted that councillors have approved our distillery development and are confident that Adelphi’s investment in Ardnamurchan will bring far reaching benefits for those living and working in the area now and for many generations to come.”