Emma Construction started on new site for Isle of Barra Distillers
Isle of Barra Distillers has officially started construction on its new distillery in Castlebay on the Isle of Barra. The £12 million distillery will be the largest single private investment ever made on the Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides and will bring major benefits to the island’s economy and community.
The investment in the family distillery will bring a number of new jobs to the island and will not only support local tourism through a new visitor centre, retail unit and cafe, but will contribute towards the continued economic growth and community development of the region.
Husband and wife Barra natives, Katie and Michael Morrison, founded the distillery in 2017 with the aim of creating a future on the island for their family for generations to come. The team quickly grew out of their existing gin distillery site. In 2021, Katie and Michael started the planning process for a new distillery that would bring whisky production back to the island.
Michael Morrison, Co-Founder of Isle of Barra Distillers, 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, Isle of Barra Distillers offered whisky lovers a taste of what’s to come with the launch of a duo of blended malt whiskies. The new Blended Malt Whisky and a 10-Year-Old Blended Malt join its award-winning collection of spirits, which includes Atlantic Gin, Hebridean Vodka and Island Dark Rum.
