Archive for Our Scotland - www.our-scotland.org Scottish Politics Discussion Forum / Messageboard - Dedicated to online discussion about Scottish Politics and an Independent Scotland, as well as Scottish Society today. We also have a section dedicated to Banter, Sport and Recommended Sites.
|
SLG
|
Shetland whisky | Quote: | Whisky set to take off at former RAF base on Shetland
GRAEME SMITH
For half a century, it has guarded Britain against sinister invaders, but now RAF Saxa Vord, the nation's most northerly radar station, is turning its attention to spirits.
The monitoring base on the north coast of Unst is set to become Shetland's first whisky distillery and Scotland's most northerly. It will also create vital jobs in the community.
The Ministry of Defence announced yesterday that Frank Strang of Military Asset Management has been selected as the preferred bidder for the purchase of part of the former RAF station.
Mr Strang has formed a joint venture with Blackwood Distillers and is planning to build a distillery on the site, which closed last month. The plant is expected to create 24 direct and 45 indirect jobs, around the same number that has been lost with the RAF closure.
Mr Strang has pledged to create employment on Unst, attract more tourists, and potentially offer longer-term economic benefits for the island and surrounding area.
Blackwood was set up less than four years ago by Caroline Whitfield, chief executive, to create the first white spirit distillery on any of Shetland's 110 islands. The firm is currently producing gin, vodka, and a vodka liqueur which have helped Blackwood win a Scottish Exporter of the Year title.
An application for planning permission on Unst will be submitted next month and work on converting the buildings could begin in September. The first whisky could then be in production within a year.
However, although bottles will be released annually to whet appetites, international sales of the single malt will not begin for some time.
"It will be five years before we start hitting the international market and we have developed these white spirits, which are generating funds to invest in the whisky distillery while the whisky is maturing," said Mrs Whitfield.
The clarity of Unst Water, recognised by generations of sailors, will be a vital factor. There are also areas of peat and the distillery will have its own maltings.
Mrs Whitfield said: "We are going to use the old strain of 'bare' barley which has been grown on Unst for the last 5000 years which will make it totally distinctive.
"We think it will be a very delicate malt." |
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/59946.html
|
Abieuan
|
I'm sure a Shetland distillery will be viable.
It probably won't become a huge industry, but enough to provide jobs for the workforce.
A distillery was started on Arran a while back, last i heard they were doing well.
Last time i was in Cymru i tried a Welsh chwisgi/whisky....it was ok.
There are also moves afoot in Kernow/Cornwall to produce a whisky there.
Why has Zetland been so slow?
|
|
|
|