By Scott Wright

ISLE of Arran Distillers was able to build a new distillery on the island thanks to a £25 million package of bank funding, it has emerged.

The Scotch whisky business, established in 1994, doubled its production capacity to more than two million litres per annum when it opened a second distillery in June, with the facility in the village of Lagg augmenting its original production site in Lochranza.

The new distillery includes a visitor centre, restaurant and café, as well as scope for further warehouse development. It is currently filling casks for what will be branded Lagg Single Malt, a heavily-peated spirit, when the time comes for it to be brought to the market.

Barclays announced yesterday that it providing funding for the distiller’s expansion, with the deal allowing Isle of Arran to borrow against its whisky stocks.

The managing director of Isle of Arran Distillers, Euan Mitchell, said: “Times have never been more exciting for our company. With the re-branding of our Arran Single Malt and the opening of Lagg Distillery, it has been a busy year and expansion and change has been at the forefront of our minds.

“We look ahead with excitement to our 25th anniversary celebrations in 2020 and are proud to partner with Barclays in securing long-term growth for the future success of our company.”