Ullapool’s new Rhidorroch Distillery café and bar celebrates Topping Out during construction work
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Ullapool business Rhidorroch Distillery has celebrated the ‘topping out’ of its planned café and bar in the heart of the village.
The highly-anticipated new addition to the Wester Ross village has been under construction since the beginning of this year in the old Frigate Bar and Bistro building on Shore Street.
WATCH: Sneak peek of new Ullapool cafe and bar development
Ullapool named most beautiful village in UK
Rhidorroch Distillery took to social media to explain: “Topping out is traditionally held when the last beam is placed atop a structure during its construction.
“So that’s what we did, we topped out, and celebrated with bubbles and burgers along with fab family and friends. Now onto the building’s windows!”
The proposal was first lodged in summer 2023 by local business, Rhidorroch Distillery, for alterations to the old Frigate Bar and Bistro building on Shore Street, in Ullapool.
Rhidorroch Distillery, owned by local gin expert Katie Scobie, states in the planning application that they will employ five full-time staff in the bar.
According to the application, the existing building and outside beer garden "will be used for the same purpose as it has been used for the last 30-plus years" and will have a bar and small shop.
A design statement lodged with the original planning application to Highland Council says: "The proposed works will enhance the site and its setting by allowing a new, modern craft distillery to be formed on the footprint of a poor quality, substandard workshop/shed. The building will be constructed with materials and a design that is of the highest architectural quality and workmanship.
"This will result in a building that provides an impressive space, and a unique visitor experience for the village."
Rhidorroch Distillery is best-known for their Loch Achall gin, which was a finalist in the Scottish Gin Awards 2021. The company also have a pop-up gin bar in Ullapool during the summer months, which offers speciality cocktails.
