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Plans revealed for £25m Inveraray Castle Scotch whisky distillery
Argyll Estates and the parent company of the Clan Campbell whisky brand have announced plans for a whisky distillery in the ground of Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Argyll since the 18th century.
Argyll Estates and European drinks company Stock Spirits Group, the owner of the Clan Campbell whisky brand, have lodged a planning application notification with Argyll and Bute Council for the construction of a £25m malt whisky distillery at Inveraray Castle.
The proposal is to build a 950 square metre distillery within the grounds of Inveraray Castle, producing up to two million litres of alcohol per annum. Plans for the distillery also include a visitor centre.
Stock Spirits Group, one of the largest alcohol beverage companies in Europe, plans to produce a single malt whisky in Inveraray, which could also be used in its blended products. The company, founded in 1884 in Trieste, Italy, acquired the Clan Campbell brand from Pernod Ricard in 2023.
Clan Campbell is one of France’s leading whisky brands, and sells a total of 1.2 million nine-litre cases in Europe.
As part of the planning application notification process for the Inveraray Castle distillery, local people will be consulted on the plans and will have the opportunity comment on them, those behind the project said.
Subject to planning permission being granted, construction is predicted for early 2025, with the aim of producing the first site’s first spirit in 2027. The project is predicted to create more than 20 local jobs, those behind it have said.
The castle itself has been the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, chiefs of Clan Campbell, since the 18th century.
Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll and chief of Clan Campbell, said: “Inveraray Castle and Clan Campbell are inextricably linked, with the castle having been the Argyll family seat since the 15th century. To see Scotch whisky being distilled in the grounds will be a significant positive development – for the local community, for the castle and for Clan Campbell.”
Chief executive Jean-Christophe Coutures said: “This investment is an important step for the Group towards having its own single malt whisky production, which will strengthen the Clan Campbell brand and Stock Spirits’ presence in this growing category.