THE people aspiring to distil the first single malt whisky in Edinburgh in 90 years have launched a £5.5 million investment drive to help fund its development, writes Scott Wright.
The Holyrood Distillery project was launched last summer by David Robertson, a whisky consultant and former master distiller of The Macallan, alongside Rob and Kelly Carpenter, founders of the Canadian branch of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.
They are seeking funders to help finance the creation of a new distillery and visitor centre, spanning nearly 12,000 square feet, in the heart of Edinburgh.
The fund-raising drive, led by accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael, comes after City of Edinburgh Council gave consent last year for the Holyrood venture to redevelop the historic Engine Shed building and site on St Leonard’s Lane.
Holyrood said incoming investment would be used to renovate the 180 year old building, purchase and install equipment, develop the visitor experience, provide working capital and cover the early start-up costs and production.
It aims to begin distilling whisky in late 2018 and start selling its first whiskies as early as 2021, assuming the liquid meets the required standard. However the company hopes to bring out prototype gins and liqueurs for “test marketing” early next year, aiming to have its first products ready in time for the distillery opening in later 2018.
If all goes to plan Holyrood will become Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery since Glen Sciennes closed in the 1920s.
Mr Carpenter, the project’s managing director, said: “We feel truly fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of bringing single malt distilling back to Edinburgh after far too long an absence.”
He added: “We are confident that by placing a working distillery in the heart of Edinburgh’s capital, with the visitor numbers and cash flow that is expected to provide, we are creating something that is quite different from the typical distillery start-up.”
Around 25 staff are expected to be employed at the distillery, including trainees, hosts, distillery operators and production managers.
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