Latest news with #Ardgowan
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
New £25m landmark whisky distillery fills first casks
Ardgowan Distillery in Inverkip is to formally opened today by Kate Forbes, Scotland's Deputy First Minister, as its first casks are filled since building concluded earlier this month. Founded in 2017, the firm is led by Roland Grain, whisky entrepreneur, and Laura Davies, distillery manager, who together spearhead an expert team with a combined experience spanning over seven decades in the whisky industry. Kate Forbes said it was a 'significant moment'. (Image: Getty Images) Featuring a sweeping Scandinavian longhouse design and 97 per cent recycled aluminium roof, the distillery has its sights set on producing top quality whisky and striving for carbon neutrality. Ms Forbes said: 'This is a significant moment for the region's economy, with investment and job opportunities set to boost local communities. 'Scotland's whisky industry is a pivotal contributor to our positive global standing and provides great economic benefit, adding over £7 billion to the UK economy and generating £5.4bn in exports alone. 'I congratulate the team at Ardgowan for the dedication they have shown on this journey and I wish them every success as they enter the next phase of their operations.' Following eight years of development, planning and construction, it is the first new distillery to open in Inverclyde for over a century. The firm said that, until now, the last distillery to operate in the region was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz. The first casks are filled. (Image: Ardgowan Distillery) Mr Grain said: 'After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members. Ardgowan's ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long Sherry cask maturation in European oak. 'Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by investing millions of pounds in our bespoke Infinity Casks years before the distillery was built. Producing whisky is all about time and patience, so, as we fill our first casks and the Deputy First Minister opens the site to the public, we look forward to steadily perfecting our Single Malt in the years to come.' The Ardgowan Distillery's visitor centre is planned to open later this summer 'with various experiences on offer, catering for whisky novices and connoisseurs alike'. 8,000 new jobs to be created Around 8,000 jobs could be created in an Aberdeenshire town over the next decade as £1 billion is set to be invested into energy transition projects.
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
The first new distillery in Inverclyde in a century opens - take a look inside Ardgowan
Independent Scotch whisky distillery Ardgowan has been formally opened today (20 June) by Scotland's deputy first Minister Kate Forbes, as its first casks are filled since building concluded earlier this month. Founded in 2017, the west coast firm is led by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain and distillery manager Laura Davies who together spearhead an expert team with a combined experience spanning over seven decades in the whisky industry. Featuring an impressive Scandinavian longhouse design and visually striking 97% recycled aluminium roof, the distillery has its sights set on producing top quality whisky and striving for carbon neutrality. Following eight years of development, planning and construction, it is the first new distillery to open in Inverclyde for over a century. Until now, the last distillery to operate in the region was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz on 7th May 1941. The opening was led by Ms Forbes, with press and industry colleagues attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches. The site will then open to the public between 3-7pm with live music, local food vendors, a children's activity area, and exclusive whiskies on offer. Commenting on this major landmark, Mr Grain said: "After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members. "Ardgowan's ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long Sherry cask maturation in European oak. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by investing millions of pounds in our bespoke Infinity Casks years before the distillery was built. "Producing whisky is all about time and patience, so, as we fill our first casks and the Deputy First Minister opens the site to the public, we look forward to steadily perfecting our Single Malt in the years to come.' Scotland's deputy first minister Kate Forbes added: "This is a significant moment for the region's economy, with investment and job opportunities set to boost local communities. 'Scotland's whisky industry is a pivotal contributor to our positive global standing and provides great economic benefit, adding over £7 billion to the UK economy and generating £5.4 billion in exports alone. 'I congratulate the team at Ardgowan for the dedication they have shown on this journey and I wish them every success as they enter the next phase of their operations.' The Ardgowan Distillery's visitor centre is planned to open later this summer with various experiences on offer, catering for whisky novices and connoisseurs alike.
The National
14 hours ago
- Business
- The National
First new distillery in Inverclyde in more than 100 years opens
Following eight years of development, planning, and construction, Ardgowan Distillery was officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes on Friday. The distillery was designed with a Scandinavian longhouse aesthetic in mind, and along with it being visually striking, it also champions sustainability with its 97% recycled aluminium roof and composite cladding. The distillery has its sights set on not only producing top-quality whisky but also striving for carbon neutrality simultaneously. READ MORE: Community pub developed from historic school and outdoor centre set to open Forbes congratulated the Ardgowan team during her visit to the distillery as she said they have shown dedication to make the project a reality over the last eight years. She said: 'This is a significant moment for the region's economy, with investment and job opportunities set to boost local communities. 'Scotland's whisky industry is a pivotal contributor to our positive global standing and provides great economic benefit, adding over £7 billion to the UK economy and generating £5.4 billion in exports alone. (Image: Martin McAdam) 'I congratulate the team at Ardgowan for the dedication they have shown on this journey and I wish them every success as they enter the next phase of their operations.' The last distillery to operate in Inverclyde was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz on May 7, 1941. The Ardgowan Distillery's visitor centre is also planned to open later this summer with various experiences on offer. The site will be open to the public between 15:00-19:00 on Friday with live music, local food vendors, a children's activity area, and exclusive whiskies on offer to celebrate the grand opening. Founded in 2017, the west coast firm is led by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain and distillery manager Laura Davies, who are leading an expert team with a combined experience spanning over seven decades in the whisky industry. (Image: Martin McAdam) Grain said: 'After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members. 'Ardgowan's ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long Sherry cask maturation in European oak. 'Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by investing millions of pounds in our bespoke Infinity Casks years before the distillery was built. 'Producing whisky is all about time and patience, so, as we fill our first casks and the Deputy First Minister opens the site to the public, we look forward to steadily perfecting our Single Malt in the years to come.'
The Herald Scotland
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
St Andrews golf hotel Ardgowan to re-open next year
Work will include consolidation of all accommodation into one connected building, and a rear extension that will increase capacity from 36 to 44 boutique rooms. The bar and restaurant will also be expanded from 44 to more than 70 seats. The Herald Scottish Golf Survey 2025 is still open but the deadline is coming soon, with every club and course in the country invited to submit their views. If your club or organisation has not already received an invitation to take part, please contact The property is owned by Wirefox, a private investment company based in Northern Ireland, which purchased the three-star Ardgowan in 2022 through its Marram Hotels division. Other properties in the Marram portfolio include the former Ducks Inn in East Lothian, which re-opened last summer as The Leddie, and the Bushmills Inn in Northern Ireland. Set up in 2014, Wirefox is a real estate investment and development company headed up by Bernard Eastwood, the grandson of legendary Irish bookmarker and boxing promoter Barney Eastwood who died in 2020. Marram describes its collection as hotels "designed by and for golf lovers". The Ardgowan's new new look has been developed in collaboration with local St Andrews architects RKA, alongside Scottish interior design studio ICA and the Crown Creative brand design agency. Read more: Kathryn McNairn will continue as the hotel's general manager, having joined Marram last year. Upon its re-opening, the hotel is expected to create up to 50 new jobs. 'We're incredibly proud to officially break ground on what will become a cornerstone of The Marram Collection in the heart of St Andrews," Ms McNairn said. "This project has been expertly designed to honour the heritage of the site while introducing a new standard of boutique hotel to the town. "This transformation will create a welcoming retreat that blends warmth, comfort and considered design for golfers, locals, and visitors alike. We look forward to unveiling a space that not only celebrates the spirit of St Andrews but also supports the local community through new opportunities and meaningful partnerships.'
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scotland's newest whisky distillery to open near Glasgow with bold new flavours
A sleek new whisky distillery just under an hour from Glasgow has announced its official opening date. Ardgowan Distillery, located in Inverkip near Greenock , will open its doors on Friday, June 20, becoming the latest addition to Scotland's lowland whisky scene. The launch marks a major milestone for the team behind the project, who describe the moment as the result of years of 'vision, determination and hard work'. Running from 3pm to 7pm, the event will invite visitors to explore the striking new distillery, meet the people behind the whisky, and enjoy an afternoon of live music, street food and top-notch drams, Glasgow Live reported. One of the highlights will be the unveiling of the Ardgowan Infinity Cask, a bespoke vessel designed for ultra long ageing. 'At the heart of it all are our signature Infinity Casks, a testament to our dedication to creating truly great whisky,' the team said. Crafted to mature whisky over decades, the cask reflects Ardgowan's bold and thoughtful approach to flavour, time and legacy. The opening will also see the debut of a new range of Clydebuilt bottlings, available in limited numbers for the first time. These whiskies, which are matured and blended on site, are described as being 'crafted with the same care and character that will define our single malt. "Predominantly sherry led and always bottled at a minimum of 46 percent, natural colour and no chill filtration – these whiskies are the forerunner of what's to come from Ardgowan Distillery.' Led by Distillery Manager Laura Davies, the team prides itself on precision and patience. 'We craft exceptional whisky with pure spring water, malted barley, yeast, and the expertise of our skilled whisky makers – but above all, with time,' they added. 'We prioritise quality, ensuring every cask is matured to perfection before bottling.' Beyond the whisky itself, the building has also been designed to impress. 'The Ardgowan Distillery build was a real feat of engineering, resulting in a striking and truly unique site that will become a landmark for whisky lovers,' the distillery states. Sustainability is central to the design, with clever efficiencies like Thermal Vapour Recompression (TVR) helping to reduce its carbon footprint . Initially, it will produce around one million litres of spirit per year, with capacity to grow to two million in time. The distillery benefits from its setting on the Ardgowan Estate, drawing on natural spring water and coastal air. 'Ardgowan Estate's natural spring provides pure, sweet water, ideal for whisky production. "Situated close to the sea and the warming Gulf Stream, our distillery benefits from a unique maritime environment, giving our whiskies distinctive coastal character.' First approved in March 2017, Ardgowan Distillery takes its name from a long-lost distillery nearby, originally founded in 1896. New CEO Roland Grain said: 'This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved with Ardgowan Distillery. I'm honoured to lead the team as we build on Scotland's whisky legacy. We can't wait to welcome visitors to experience our craft first-hand when we officially open this June.' More information about the opening day is available on the Ardgowan website .
