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Mill is taking shape after ‘crazy’ decision to create whisky distillery in Castletown ruin





A “crazy” decision to buy a ruined mill and turn it into a destination whisky distillery on the north coast is finally taking shape – 16 years after businessman Martin Murray dismissed the idea as “too complex and too expensive”.

Martin, along with his wife and business partner Claire, hosted a topping out ceremony to mark the completion of the two traditional roofs on the 200-year-old mill at Castletown on Wednesday.

Alice Calder, who was born in the house attached to the mill, speaks to members of the team in the 1818 wing. Picture: John Davidson
Alice Calder, who was born in the house attached to the mill, speaks to members of the team in the 1818 wing. Picture: John Davidson

The earliest part of the building, which dates from 1818, has fresh Caithness flagstone roof tiles, while a later 19th-century extension is now topped with Welsh slate tiles as it was when it was originally built.

Members of the Calder family, who previously owned the mill, were among those who attended the event, including 96-year-old Alice, who was born in the house adjoining the original mill.

The derelict mill had been added to the Buildings at Risk Register in 1991. The grade B listed structure was originally built as a water-powered grain mill by James Traill, pioneer of the Caithness flagstone industry. It was used to produce flour to cater for the growing number of workers at his nearby pavement works.

In November 2020, Dunnet Bay Distillers purchased the mill. But Martin explained that he had been thinking about taking on the ruin, which sits just east of the village of Castletown, for some time.

“I checked an email today and it was 2008 I enquired to buy the mill,” he said. “I signed off an email saying it’s too complex and too expensive, and I don’t think it’ll ever work for us. Fast forward 16 years and we’re nearly there.

Castletown Mill and the Stannergill Burn which once ran the watermill. The new whisky will be named after the burn. Picture: John Davidson
Castletown Mill and the Stannergill Burn which once ran the watermill. The new whisky will be named after the burn. Picture: John Davidson

“I think I always had it in my mind, bubbling away, and then trying to find ways to make it work – and then I just had to convince Claire, and that was probably the harder part!”

Claire explained that their gin business began as a way to allow the couple to work at home in Caithness together, but has since grown arms and legs. They only expected it to create two jobs – one for each of them.

But she is delighted with the transformation of the historic property. “Right now it’s amazing, just seeing the building,” she said. “You can stand outside and it’s solid and strong again: you pass it and it’s got a roof on it, there’s windows, it feels like a solid structure.”

“It’s a big change,” Martin added. “I had to do a presentation recently and compare the mill now to the way it was. When you look back at it, it was an absolutely crazy decision to do what we’ve done!

“But it’s the right thing to do and I was always so confident that we could do it and that this building could be revitalised.

Martin and Claire Murray address those gathered at the topping out ceremony. Picture: John Davidson
Martin and Claire Murray address those gathered at the topping out ceremony. Picture: John Davidson

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“You can see it now that it is starting to take shape, but it wasn’t always easy to envisage that. Now, with the roof on and some of the floors in, you can start to see it. That’s a real shot in the arm for us because with all projects, but especially old buildings, there are really hard challenges that exist and we’re through a lot of them.”

One of those hurdles was funding for the £4 million project that is expected to create 12 new full-time jobs when the distillery opens next year.

Engagement manager Joanne Howdle has been central to getting funding for the project, and she says the community involvement really set it apart from other applicants to Historic Environment Scotland’s grant.

The Welsh slate roof on the 1888 extension seen from across the road. Picture: John Davidson
The Welsh slate roof on the 1888 extension seen from across the road. Picture: John Davidson

“That’s what got us the grant in the first place,” she said. “I think it’s true to say that we’re the only non-charity to have ever got one of Historic Environment Scotland’s grants – and that was because of all the community engagement we built into the mill.”

Martin said that the sentiment of community groups and local people in general has been a real boost to them throughout the project, and they plan to continue giving back to the community once it is up and running.

“Next year will be challenging, but we always find a way to make things work, so we’ll get to the point of opening up, and it’ll be a real asset for the community,” he said.

“We always believed this would be a destination distillery where people will come for the distillery because of the building that it once was and what it is now. But we’ve got the opportunity to do more with it, so the courtyard that we have got out the front, we want to do events that help promote local producers.

“One of the big things that we’ve built into the design of the mills is having this courtyard area where we can do events and markets, and that’s going to be a big thing for us.”

The 1818 wing with its new Caithness flagstone roof. Picture: John Davidson
The 1818 wing with its new Caithness flagstone roof. Picture: John Davidson

He added: “We’re really excited about next year – it’s now within a 12-month window of opening up, and there’ll be a lot of sweat and maybe some tears, but we’re in that window now of doing something fantastic.

“So, it’s exciting, it’s going to be… fun!”

One of the mash tuns seen through an opening in the 1888 mill extension. Picture: John Davidson
One of the mash tuns seen through an opening in the 1888 mill extension. Picture: John Davidson

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Co-founders of Dunnet Bay Distillers Martin and Claire Murray with engagement manager Joanne Howdle. Picture: John Davidson
Co-founders of Dunnet Bay Distillers Martin and Claire Murray with engagement manager Joanne Howdle. Picture: John Davidson
Members of the community including family members of previous owners were invited to the topping out ceremony and were shown the latest developments. Picture: John Davidson
Members of the community including family members of previous owners were invited to the topping out ceremony and were shown the latest developments. Picture: John Davidson
Castletown Mill and the area which will become a courtyard. Picture: John Davidson
Castletown Mill and the area which will become a courtyard. Picture: John Davidson
Team members and invited guests got to see progress on the building work. Picture: John Davidson
Team members and invited guests got to see progress on the building work. Picture: John Davidson
Blended Castletown Mill whisky is being released in numbered ‘sagas’ which tell the history of the mill. Picture: John Davidson
Blended Castletown Mill whisky is being released in numbered ‘sagas’ which tell the history of the mill. Picture: John Davidson

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