June 23 2022

Highland Council has awarded planning and listed building consent to refurbish a 200-year-old B-listed mill in Caithness into a visitor centre and distillery for Dunnet Bay Distillers.

The £4m restoration and fit-out of Castletown Mill is being overseen by Organic Architects who will deliver contemporary additions while retaining the historic fabric.

Currently on the Buildings at Risk Register, the mill was acquired by Dunnet Bay Distillers last year to facilitate the expansion of its neighbouring HQ.

Organic Architects director Andrea Wise said: “This is a rare opportunity for a thriving local business to regenerate this landmark building which has been unable to find a user for decades. The distillery will be powered by green electricity, making it one of the most sustainable distilleries in the UK industry.”

Work will commence in spring 2023 following delivery of a temporary cafe and visitor centre, subject to separate planning consent.

2 Comments

#1 Posted by Trombe Wall on 23 Jun 2022 at 14:54 PM

Credit to the team on their aspirations for this building. Having past it frequently over the years, the existing building looks in serious disrepair. Fingers crossed for the project.

#2 Posted by Chris Bowes on 24 Jun 2022 at 11:36 AM

A great addition to future plans for Caithness.

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