Dunnet Bay Distillers in Caithness has secured £180,200 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to develop a bottling plant and warehouse for its gin and vodka operations, creating four new jobs.
Owned by local husband and wife team, Claire and Martin Murray, the distillery is known for producing Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka at its small operation in the village of Dunnet.
The business started trading in 2014 and since then, a warehouse and a visitor centre have been built following an increase in demand, with the company now exporting its products to more than 20 countries.
HIE’s investment will support Dunnet Bay Distillers to develop a bottling plant and warehouse for the gin and vodka operations near to Castletown Mill, which was recently purchased by the firm with a view to developing it into a new destination whisky distillery.
This will also free up space at the Dunnet site to increase production of gin and vodka.
The building will incorporate an air source heat pump system for heating and cooling the premises. It also faces south to maximise the potential for a solar PV array on the roof.
Four new jobs will be created
Some nineteen staff are currently employed at Dunnet Bay Distillers and four new jobs will be created as a result of the investment.
The money awarded by HIE includes £90,100 Green Jobs funding, which is being distributed by HIE on behalf of the Scottish Government in light of the low carbon and energy-saving benefits of the project.
Part of effort to retain working age people in the area
HIE development manager Hilary Budge said: “Distilleries are an important part of the Highlands and Islands food and drink sector and provide valuable rural employment while contributing to community resilience.
“Creating new jobs in the area will also help the wider efforts to attract and retain working-age people in the area.”
HIE also supported Dunnet Bay Distillers through the agency’s Graduate Support Programme, which helps companies in the Highlands and Islands by offering 12-months work experience placements in a wide variety of industries.
While working at the firm, graduate Craig Chambers produced a new gin expression called Rock Rose Gin Smoked Orange which has just become part of the core range and brings the number of gins in the main offer to nine.
Martin Murray, co-founder and co-director of Dunnet Bay Distillers, said: “We’re excited at the prospect of regenerating the Castletown Mill, a fine 200-year-old building which has been empty for many years. The Mill will become a Caithness landmark once again and its development will transform our already successful business.
“We look forward soon to launching our website for the project which will explain more about how local people can get involved.
“We aim to make it into a local destination distillery and we intend to make this section of our business every bit as environmentally sustainable as the rest.
“Our strong environmental ethos is at the heart of what we do.”
Conversation