The Cabrach Trust and Forsyths shake hands on £3m deal
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The Cabrach Trust has agreed a £3million deal with Forsyths to complete the construction of Scotland's newest distillery.
Forsyths will manufacture and fit the equipment for the distillery as well as the dunnage warehouse and peat shed.
In addition, the Rothes-based family firm has committed a philanthropic contribution of £500,000 towards the £3million project.
In return the Cabrach Trust will enshrine Forsyths as a founding partner alongside two other generous supporters – the Ethos Foundation and the Bently Foundation.
Richard Forsyth OBE, the company's chairman, said: "To be able to put into practice, to positive effect, our decades of expertise in helping to build some of the world’s finest distilleries is a privilege, especially somewhere so unique and steeped in whisky folklore as the Cabrach.
"The fact the Cabrach Distillery is a community interest company and will directly benefit the Moray community – our community – was a huge draw for Forsyths, which is why we wanted to support the project as much as possible.
"This sort of unique proposition doesn’t come round very often in life, and we’re delighted to be a part of it."
The Cabrach played a founding part in the story of Scottish whisky – not to mention in the smuggling trade associated with it.
In 1823, a significant change in legislation succeeded in encouraging three Cabrach families to establish legally-regulated distilleries on their farms – Blackmiddens, Lesmurdie, and Tomnaven.
For more than 20 years, these distilleries flourished and real Cabrach whisky was held in the highest possible regard. However, various factors impacted on the economic viability of the three Cabrach distilleries, and one by one they closed.
The completion of the new distillery, which is being built at Inverharroch Farm, will bring single malt whisky production back to the community for the first time in over 170 years.
Grant Gordon OBE is the founder and chairman of the Cabrach Trust, which was set up in 2011 to try revitalise the area and stem its decline in population.
He said: "With the build in full flow, we are so grateful for the support provided by Forsyths.
"We have absolute confidence in their experience and ability to create a distillery befitting of the Cabrach’s historic significance in whisky production.
"It is a privilege to work with and alongside such an array of incredible peer, community, and funding partners."
Jonathan Christie, the trust's chief executive, added: "The Cabrach Distillery is a project like no other and there's an incredible group of individuals and organisations pushing it forward at pace.
"To be embarking on the most important part of the development with Forsyths by our side, as we drive towards first distillation, is beyond exciting.
"From my very first encounter with Richard Forsyth, his enthusiasm and counsel, alongside the knowledge and support of the Forsyths team, has been invaluable."
The Cabrach Trust was formed in 2011.
Two years later, through its generous donors, it acquired Inverharroch Farm and its 170 acres of land.
Through a community asset transfer it also acquired the old school and hall plus the local community centre.
The new distillery will produce up to 100,000 litres of spirit each year, using methods close to those in practice two centuries ago.
Its barley will be sourced from the fields adjacent to the distillery and from nearby farms.
