Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has awarded the owners of North Uist Distillery £250,000 for the development of Nunton Steadings in Benbecula.

According to the Scottish Construction News, the work will consist of the installation of distilling equipment and building adaptation.

Owners Jonny Ingledew and Kate Macdonald have operated the business since 2017 and now employ 10 people. They currently produce and bottle gin from industrial units in Bayhead, North Uist.

The redevelopment of Nunton Steadings will give the couple the space to build on the success of their popular range of premium ‘Downpour’ gins. A shop, bar and tasting room are already set up and operating from Nunton Steadings, which is proving popular with visitors and local people. Work has begun on lime rendering on the listed building.

Macdonald and Ingledew also intend on producing a world-class single malt whisky at the new premises. Using locally grown barley, the production and bottling of gin and whisky will be carried out on-site. It is expected that six new well-paid skilled jobs will be created over the next three years.

For the full story in Scottish Construction News, go here.