New University of St Andrews campus to house brewery and distillery

Scottish brewer and distiller Eden Mill has announced a £4 million expansion plan that will see it move just metres from its current site in Guardbridge to the new University of St Andrews Eden Campus.

Image: Eden Mill

The project will see former paper mill buildings converted into Eden Mill’s new base, permitting them to increase their production of gin, beer and whisky and to have space for further expansion.

The brewery and distillery will be housed within the University of St Andrews’ new Eden Campus, making Eden Mill the university’s first tenant.

The plans, which have been submitted to Fife Council, include several visitor areas, a café/bar, dedicated visitor’s centre, shop, presentation room and a VIP tasting room on the top floor of the distillery overlooking the Eden estuary.

Eden Mill has stated that the new site will allow it to double the number of tourists taking distillery tours – from 25,000 to 50,000 a year.

Paul Miller, co-founder of Eden Mill, said: “With ambitions to grow the business, it’s the right time for Eden Mill to move forward with plans for a new distillery and brewery. We have always been pioneering, and this expansion can open the door to new product development and continued success.

“To stay competitive, the spirits industry in Scotland needs to embrace new ideas and experimentation while respecting its heritage and traditions, particularly with whisky. At this new site, Eden Mill will be in the perfect position to invest in new products and lead the way with innovation.

“We firmly believe that this development will greatly benefit the local area and the wider Scottish economy, which is always what we have set out to achieve as a business”.

Pending approval of the application, Eden Mill hopes to be on site by summer 2018 with the buildings operational by the autumn.

The Eden Campus is currently home to an energy biomass centre which forms a key part of the university’s campaign to become the first energy carbon neutral university in the UK.

The £20 million project will see 400 members of university staff relocate to Guardbridge, a 10-minute drive from St Andrews, to ease pressure on office and parking space in the historic town.

University of St Andrews quaestor and factor Derek Watson said: “This is a major strategic move for the university which will provide an exceptional working environment for our staff, breathe new life in the local economy of Guardbridge and have a beneficial impact on the town of St Andrews.

“We are committed to rejuvenating the former paper mill site and the development will result in the reuse of existing buildings, introduce a modern yet sympathetic new entrance into the site, and foster a sense of vibrancy and vitality”.

Eden Mill’s current site will be converted into university office accommodation.