THE MACALLAN RECEIVES PLANNING APPROVAL FOR NEW £100M DISTILLERY IN SPEYSIDE

The Macallan has today (5^th August 2014) been granted planning permission by The Moray Council for a new £100m iconic distillery and visitor centre. 

Works will now progress on the delivery of the new facility which is scheduled to open to the public in Spring 2017.  The Macallan, one of the core brands of Edrington, Scotland’s premier producer and distributor of global spirits brands, has appointed Robertson, as preferred contractor for the new facility and Forsyths of Rothes as supplier of the distillation equipment. 

Graham Hutcheon, Group Operations Director, Edrington, said: “We are delighted with the decision taken today by The Moray Council planning committee.  This permission enables us to forge ahead with our work on site.  Following a competitive tender process we have selected Robertson as our preferred contractor to deliver our new distillery and visitor centre.  We have assembled a first class team, including internationally renowned architects Rogers, Stirk, Harbour and Partners, and are confident that Robertson will complement the existing team and our aspirations for this project.   

“Only the external appearance of the distillery will change, the exceptional quality of The Macallan, which has been produced for many years using copper stills from Forsyths, will not be compromised and the same focus on attention to detail and personal care of the whisky’s production will be upheld.  The new distillery will undoubtedly become one of the most talked about distilleries, not only in Speyside but globally, and we look forward to starting on site soon.”  

In addition to creating a site of major architectural significance, the new distillery will ensure the on-going quality control of the production of The Macallan, both of which further consolidate The Macallan’s position as one of the world’s leading luxury spirits. Over time the distillery will deliver additional capacity to meet the growing demand from existing and new international markets.  With its rolling roofscape, the distillery has been designed to complement the natural beauty of the area and The Macallan Estate, which overlooks the River Spey. 

Bill Robertson, Executive Chairman, Robertson, said: “We are delighted and honoured to have been selected by The Macallan to build their new world-class, iconic distillery and visitor centre.

“As a local business we have worked in the whisky industry for many, many years and fully understand the aspirations of the sector. Perhaps more importantly we have taken the time to understand The Macallan, the business, its objectives and its reputation for high quality in all it does. 

The project will be delivered in true partnership between ourselves and The Macallan and will result in a distillery and visitor centre which will become the benchmark for others to aspire to.”

Graham Hutcheon, Edrington, concluded; “With Robertson and Forsyths joining our professional team, we are delighted that regionally based businesses will benefit from our investment.  It is anticipated that due to the locations of both these companies even greater economic and employment benefits for the local and surrounding areas will be realised.” 

The Macallan is recognised around the world as a marque of excellence and craftsmanship. The new facility will embody The Macallan’s uncompromising approach to quality and luxury. Work on site is due to commence in October this year. 

Edrington
Edrington owns some of the leading Scotch whisky and rum brands in the world, including The Macallan, Brugal, The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and Highland Park. In addition to its core brands, Edrington acquired Snow Leopard vodka in 2013.

Edrington directly controls its route to market in sixteen countries, and operates the remainder through joint venture and third party agreements. Over the past five years the company has increased the international nature of its business through the acquisition of the Brugal and Cutty Sark brands and sales and distribution companies in key markets.

Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs more than 2,200 people worldwide, with over 60% employed overseas.

Edrington is owned by a charitable trust, The Robertson Trust, which donated £15.3 million to a variety of charitable causes last year.

The Macallan

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies.  The creation of The Macallan draws on the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, and of their respective natural raw materials, combined with traditional methods and craftsmanship. From its founding, through the subsequent owners of The Macallan distillery in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and into the present century, The Macallan has been recognised for its outstanding quality above all else. Today this remains the foundation for the worldwide fame of The Macallan and is such that it is truly “The Last Word” in luxury and at the heart of those special moments brought alive over a glass of The Macallan.

Robertson
Robertson is an integrated infrastructure, support services and construction group that INVESTS in, BUILDS & MAINTAINS the social infrastructure that makes peoples’ lives better.  Robertson directly employs over 1300 people throughout the UK. The Robertson businesses are experts in working in partnership and delivering: capital projects; facilities management; timber engineering; regionally-based construction (covering Scotland and England); property development; regeneration; house building; affordable homes; civil engineering & building services; major projects. Robertson was established in Elgin, Moray in 1966 by Executive Chairman Bill Robertson.