Distillery in bid to convert farm building
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THE Glenmorangie Company is seeking permission to convert a large farm storage warehouse into a bonded warehouse for 11,500 casks of whisky.
The warehouse is at Fendom former airfield near Tain where the whisky giant has its distillery.
Glenmorangie wants more space for whisky to lie up in barrels to mature as warehouse space at the distillery is at capacity.
The company recently also sought planning permission to build up to 20 large bonded warehouses over 10 years on part of Fearn Aerodrome, a former military base.
A cask filling and disgorging facility, associated tank farm, tanker filling bay, welfare facilities and a car park are included in the scheme.
Both applications are pending decisions by Highland Council.
The company said: “The Glenmorangie Distillery currently utilises warehouses at Tain.
“This site is now at capacity and this development will safeguard future growth in stock.”
Developers acknowledge the Fearn proposal does not involve the creation of the most picturesque of buildings but said this will be mitigated as far as possible.
“Unfortunately, what makes a good maturation environment, ie a dark ventilated space and the complex regulatory requirements, doesn’t easily lend itself to stimulating architecture,” they said.
“These buildings functionally want to be and are treated essentially as large ‘boxes’.”
