Castletown mill plan could create 12 jobs and cost up to £4 million
A plan to create a whisky distillery and visitor centre at a disused old mill on the outskirts of Castletown could see a £4 million investment and create 12 jobs.
The company behind the proposal to transform the listed 200-year-old building has released images of how the mill could look once the project is complete.
Dunnet Bay Distillers – set up and run by husband and wife Martin and Claire Murray – has applied for planning permission to refurbish the mill and the surrounding land.
The application has been lodged with Highland Council and would, if approved, create additional resources for the expanding business which recently received consent for warehousing and bottling facilities at the site.
The company owns the award-winning Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka brands and bought the historic mill in 2021.
Its plans would lead to a full refurbishment of the dilapidated building, which has been empty for many years, and include a whisky distillery and a visitor centre.
Dunnet Bay Distillers, which was established in 2014, sells its products throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK and in 24 countries across the world.
Mr Murray said: "If it goes ahead, this particular development offers exciting potential for our business and for the local community, not least as our future development plans include the employment of up to 12 more staff. However, we wait to see if planning permission is granted.
"In the meantime, we have achieved permission to develop a temporary visitor centre, café and shop near the site of the old mill."
Claire Murray added: "We’re excited at the prospect of regenerating and breathing new life into the building. We are keen to tell its story and to add to the wonderful history as we, hopefully, move to re-establishing the mill as a proud Caithness landmark once again.
"We would be grateful to hear from anyone with connections to the mill and who have stories and images throwing more light on the history of this wonderful place. We aim to make it into a local destination distillery and so the history is something we wish to remember."
The appointed architects are Organic Architects, based in Helensburgh. The firm’s director, Andrea Wise, said: "This is a rare opportunity for a thriving local business to regenerate this landmark building which has been unable to find a user for decades. Historic Environment Scotland have been consulted during the design process to ensure that the necessary changes are as appropriate as possible for the old mill.
"The distillery will be powered by green electricity, making it one of the most sustainable in the industry."
Castletown and District Community Council backs the proposal. Vice-chairman Colin Hossack described it as "a substantial plan" and said: "It will be good for the village."
The three-storey mill dates from the early 1800s.
