Cabrach whisky set to return after 170 years
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An area famed for its role in the birth of whisky is poised to recommence production for the first time in 170 years.
A foundation stone has now been laid at the Cabrach Distillery to mark the beginning of 12 months of construction work
Late last year the Cabrach Trust announced it had secured £3.5million to begin the project which will showcase the craft and alchemy of making Scotland’s national drink while also telling the history of the area.
Once complete, the distillery will produce 100,000 litres of spirit each year, with barley sourced from the adjacent fields.
Grant Gordon, the trust's founder and chairman, together with his wife Brigitte, led a small ceremony.
Grant said: "Our vision is to regenerate the Cabrach as a thriving, sustainable community. Beginning the construction represents a critical milestone for the trust as it embarks on this exciting next chapter in the Cabrach’s story."
Helping to lay the foundation stone were Christopher Bently, founder of the Bently Foundation, and Richard Forsyth, chairman of Forsyths Ltd, who have both been generous in their support.
Christopher said: "We are proud to support an organisation with tremendous community and cultural value.
"This project will deliver and operate an historic farm distillery as a social enterprise, while celebrating the unique cultural heritage of a hauntingly beautiful place.
"We look forward to tasting that first dram of Cabrach whisky."
By the time spirit once more flows from Cabrach stills next year, over 170 years will have passed since legal distilling in the area ended.
The 1823 Scotch Whisky Act encouraged three Cabrach families to establish licensed stills on their farms – Blackmiddens, Lesmurdie, and Tomnaven.
For more than 20 years, these distilleries were held in the highest regard.
However, the remote location impacted on their economic viability and, one by one, they closed.
Likewise, the Cabrach was a once thriving community of over a thousand residents.
However, the devastation wrought by the First World War began a spiral of depopulation and decline. Today fewer than 100 people call the Cabrach home.
The distillery represents the cornerstone of the trust’s regeneration plans as it seeks to bring both jobs and visitors to the area.
Earlier this year the trust opened a nature walk and also relaunched the Cabrach Games after an 87-year hiatus.
Richard Lochhead, Moray's MSP, said: "The Cabrach is a unique community with an incredibly rich heritage.
"It's widely believed that the Cabrach is the birthplace of Scotch whisky, so plans for a new distillery and heritage centre are not only fitting but also hugely exciting.
"This project will undoubtedly put the Cabrach on the map."
Meanwhile, Douglas Ross, Moray's MP, stated it was "fantastic news" for the area. He added: "As well as hopefully attracting further investment, this project will create much needed job opportunities and support more young people to live and work in the area.
"I am very much looking forward to watching these plans progress and offer my support for this great project."
The Cabrach Trust also expresses its thanks to the William Grant Foundation, the Ethos Foundation and the Clashindarroch Community Benefit Fund amongst others.
