DRINKS giant Diageo is pressing ahead with a drive to showcase four distilleries whose malts are used in its flagship Johnnie Walker blends by submitting plans to turn the Caol Ila Distillery on the Isle of Islay into a key visitor destination.
Earlier this year the company announced that it would spend £150 million transforming its scotch whisky visitor experiences, with the centrepiece being a Johnnie Walker attraction in Edinburgh.
The visitor centres at four other distilleries - Caol Ila, Glenkinchie in Edinburgh, Clynelish in the Highlands, and Cardhu in Speyside – will also be revamped with the intention of creating a Johnnie Walker tour of Scotland.
READ MORE: Diageo to transform visitor experiences with £150m investment plan
Diageo has now submitted a detailed planning application to Argyll & Bute Council outlining its intention to create a “state-of-the-art” visitor experience inside the Caol Ila warehouse.
Leigh Aitken, who manages the Caol Ila visitor centre, said the company was “very pleased to take this important step in the exciting journey to transform our visitor experience at Caol Ila Distillery”.
“We have had good engagement with local residents and stakeholders on our plans so far and we will continue to work with the local authority and the community as we progress through the formal planning process,” he said.
It comes after Diageo announced last month that it had secured planning permission from Highland Council to bring the Brora Distillery back to production.
READ MORE: Whisky giant moves step closer to reviving famous distillery
As part of the plan the distillery’s historic stillhouse is being dismantled entirely, before being rebuilt in a manner that retains its original character.
That is part of a £35m project to bring “iconic lost distilleries” back to life, with Port Ellen Distillery on Islay also expected to be up and running again within the next two years.
Both Brora and Port Ellen were mothballed in 1983. The decision to reinstate them came on the back of growing interest from collectors, with both brands well regarded by enthusiasts.
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