Steel creates cathedral of whisky

Structural steelwork is nearing completion on the Ardgowan Distillery near Greenock, which has been described as a cathedral of whisky.

Working on behalf of Muir Construction, Hescott Engineering is fabricating, supplying and erecting 260t of steelwork for the project.

The distillery building is an eye-catching steel-framed structure with a steep pitched roof, which will on completion have the potential to produce up to two million litres of whisky a year.

The building’s tall roof design will help create a light-filled environment for the state-of-the-art facility, which will use extensive heat recovery at each stage of the production process and CO₂ captured from fermentation in order to make the distillery carbon negative.

There will be a cooling tower to minimise the consumption of water and eliminate the discharge of hot water into the nearby Kip River.

The steel-frame will accommodate various areas within the main distillery building, such as milling, mash house, washback and stillhouse production areas.

Distillery CEO Martin McAdam, says: ‘This project will be a major boost to the local economy – both during construction and in operation.

“Our goal is to build a world-class facility, which will attract tourists and bring economic and social benefits to Inverclyde.”