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Bid could boost Turriff tourism


By David Porter

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Plans to convert a north-east farm site into what could become a major new tourist attraction have been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council.

In what potentially could be a coup for the Turriff area, extensive plans have been created for the conversion of the farm buildings at Yonderton, which sit just off the B9105 to the north-west of Craigston Castle, into an on-site distillery.

Yonderton Farm at Fintry could become the site of a major new tourist attraction in the north-east.
Yonderton Farm at Fintry could become the site of a major new tourist attraction in the north-east.

Agents Mantell Ritchie, on behalf of applicant Wilson Strachan, have used the existing footprint of the farm site and the buildings, which are already situated within the farm’s confines, to form the main body of the distillery.

Site plans show the use of two stills housed within a traditional pagoda-roofed building, which will be located beside a glass-fronted still room.

Adjacent to this are two bonded warehouses which reuse two of the existing farm structures, which would in turn be refinished into an overall uniform look.

A further existing building at the farm would be converted into a malt house and the

four buildings joined together in an innovative use of space into one single distillery building.

With tourism in mind, plans also involve the demolition of a disused cottage which sits adjacent to the main farm site into a new visitor centre.

This would provide a further draw to the distillery and plans indicate the provision of a bar, small restaurant with servery and a specially-created tasting area.

The whisky sector as a whole in Scotland employs around 11,000 people and contributes billions of pounds to the UK economy each year.

While it has taken a considerable hit during the current lockdown with the loss of

revenue from hospitality sales and the ongoing trade battle with the US over import taxation, which has already cost more than £300 million this year alone, there is still investment taking place in the north-east.

In Oldmeldrum at Glen Garioch Distillery, Morrison Bowmore have been carrying out a protracted series of upgrade works to the premises which have included renovation of the distillery still house, replacement of internal mezzanine levels, full replacement of roofs on buildings and the erection of a replacement chimney.

Expansion of the sites capacity was also undertaken with the installation of new process tanks at the maltings building, and the popular visitors centre is set to have a new car park within the bounds of the distillery to help accommodate a greater number of visitors.

Other facilities such as Glendronach have also seen inward investment with a new warehouse receiving planning permission for the distillery at Forgue.


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