Sipping a dram looking out to the spectacular Cairngorms, it’s easy to see the attraction of a new distillery about to open its doors in the Highlands.
The Press and Journal has had a sneak preview of The Cairn, a £20 million project by whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail.
The eye-catching building outside Grantown is designed to be a modern home of the ancient craft of whisky making.
Visitors are taken on a journey from 1895, when the founding family opened a grocery shop, through its evolution into distilling, to the planned releases of whisky in the 2030s.
When will the distillery be open?
Bookings are now being taken online ahead of Monday when the doors open for the public to the first new distillery built in the Cairngorms National Park for more than a century.
The Cairn is a striking structure made of stone, wood and steel.
It is topped with a sedum roof of living plants to encourage native species to fit in with its nature-rich environment.
Reforestation projects are also under way to encourage native species, including the local population of rare goldeneye ducks.
The location also gives its name to the blended malts currently available -CRN 57° (the distillery sits on 57 degrees latitude from the equator).
It is hoped eventually to build a cairn outside, a metal structure with stone inside, and a walking trail by the River Spey.
A time capsule will also be buried and re-opened in 12 years time when the distillery releases its first whisky.
Ewen Mackintosh, Gordon & MacPhail managing director, said: “After many years of preparation, planning and construction we look forward to finally opening the doors to members of the public, and in particular the local community, who have been so supportive since the project was first announced.
‘Awe-inspiring’ location in the Cairngorms
“Having secured such a beautiful and awe-inspiring location overlooking the River Spey towards the Cairngorms, we wanted to create a building which complements the majesty of the environment.
“We are delighted with the result, and we look forward to sharing it with visitors from all over the world.”
Gordon & MacPhail unveiled plans for a distillery at Craggan in 2018.
Planning permission was granted in 2019 and work started in July 2020.
Eleven apprentices were able to learn their trade on the construction site.
The company looked at eight sites before settling on the location, a prime consideration being an abundance of water, including from underground springs.
Who can take a distillery tour?
The Cairn is expected to be an attraction in its own right, forecast to bring in 30,000-35,000 people a year, providing a boost to the local economy.
At present, it will open just to those who take the tour.
Gordon & MacPhail marketing director Ian Chapman said: “The intention is to be part of the local economy, complementing existing businesses rather than being in competition.
“The Cairn is a gateway into the area. It provides a very strong welcome to visitors and signposts them to other parts of the region.
“As we were inspired by the environment, we want visitors to be inspired also.”
Visitors can choose from a selection of immersive experiences, each culminating in a whisky tasting in the Discovery Room.
With floor-to-ceiling windows, the room provides a stunning backdrop for visitors as they taste the future – blended malt whiskies created to give a sense of notes, flavours and aromas that will be part of the character of single malts to be released in the 2030s.
These sherry cask-matured, un-peated expressions are being released in 70cl bottlings available exclusively to those who tour the distillery.
The oldest expression in the CRN57 range, a 70-year-old, comes in a crystal decanter and is the oldest blended malt whisky in the world.
Scottish tapas-style food is also exclusively available at The Gathering to those who take a tour.
Three tour options
Open seven days a week, year round, distillery tours start at £25, with three options available:
The Explorer (£25) includes learning about the 127-year journey to The Cairn opening, a trip around the spirit production process and a tasting of the CRN57 12 and 18-year-old blended malts.
The Adventurer (£60) like the Explorer tour, with the addition of a dram of the 25-year-old blended malt and several food dishes.
The Voyager (£350) a personally-guided tour, a taste of all six drams from the CRN57 range, plus a range of food dishes.
Tickets for the Explorer and Adventurer experiences can be booked at The Cairn website.
For the Voyager tour email info@thecairndistillery.com or call 01479 816543
Are you interested in more exclusive and breaking Highland and Islands news from the P&J? If so, why not join our dedicated Facebook page HERE
Conversation