The Cabrach Distillery celebrates return of whisky making after 170 years
Spirits have again flowed in a long-depopulated community which played an important part in malt whisky’s origin.
The Cabrach is an area 18 miles south-west of Huntly, spanning the Aberdeenshire and Moray border, which was used for distilling malt whisky even before the activity became legal in 1822.
By the 1850s, The Cabrach’s distilleries had closed their doors and the area’s whisky-making expertise faded into memory.
However, in 2017, The Cabrach Trust first laid out plans for The Cabrach Distillery as a way to bring the craft back to help create jobs and regenerate the community.
And after seven years of work, the return of whisky to the area was marked with an ceremony at the distillery on Friday, attended by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
More than 100 guests, including the local community, watched as the first distillation of the new spirit took place within 19th century stone steadings at Inverharroch Farm.
Future plans for the project will also see a bistro and heritage centre developed alongside the distillery.
The Cabrach Distillery is a social enterprise and the first Community Interest Company of its kind, aiming to meet the “highest social and environmental standards, creating skilled employment alongside volunteering opportunities”.
All future profits generated by the distillery will be used to boost The Cabrach Trust’s community regeneration efforts.
Grant Gordon OBE, founder and chairman of The Cabrach Trust, added: “The Cabrach is my home as well that of my ancestors, but in my lifetime, I’ve witnessed firsthand decades of abandonment and decline.
“Since The Cabrach Trust was established in 2013, we have witnessed the growing support of the community, further strengthened by an ever-increasing membership.
“The creation of The Cabrach Distillery sits at the heart of our regeneration aims for The Cabrach.
“This is a unique community asset that will celebrate an important part of The Cabrach’s cultural identity, whilst creating an extraordinary Single Malt Whisky.”
“I’m immeasurably proud today.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross was also among those who attended the first spirit ceremony.
“All credit must go to those at the Cabrach Trust for making this happen and bringing back whisky to the region after such a long absence,” he said.
“It is so crucial for our local economy and I am pleased to show my support for the community-owned trust’s ongoing efforts and it is fantastic to have The Cabrach join the long list of local distilleries operating.
“The trust have gone the extra mile to make this milestone moment happen and I am confident that they will go from strength to strength in the years to come.
“The next stages of their plans look just as exciting and interesting and it's great to see such enthusiasm and interest for the future in the Cabrach."
