Glenachulish Distillery wins approval for £6m Loch Leven scheme in Highlands

What happened

The Highland Council has granted planning permission for the £6m Glenachulish Distillery beside Loch Leven, near Ballachulish Bridge. The decision was reported by Scottish Construction Now on 6 August 2026.

The approved scheme combines a working whisky distillery with a shop, café and visitor facilities. The project is expected to provide seven permanent jobs throughout the year, covering production, hospitality and visitor operations.

Collective Architecture has designed a cluster of buildings with straightforward forms and dark metal and timber cladding. Three chimney-shaped features reference both Glencoe’s Three Sisters and the three stills planned inside.

Windows on the loch-facing side will give visitors views of the stills and allow them to watch production. The café and its terrace will overlook the water, while the development also includes tasting rooms and space for community groups and events.

The background

Glenachulish intends to produce small-batch single malt whiskies, exploring differences created through fermentation, distillation and maturation. The scheme seeks to re-establish whisky-making as a local occupation, rather than operate solely as a visitor destination.

The project’s account of the area’s whisky heritage describes small stills operating across the surrounding glens, supplied with local water and barley. Recruitment and training for the new operation will prioritise local residents, with an emphasis on developing and passing on production skills.

The team expects the economic benefits to extend to Ballachulish and Kinlochleven, communities associated with slate and aluminium respectively. It estimates that the development could support another 30 jobs across the local economy, separate from direct employment at the distillery.

For wider technical context, Distillery Wire has examined building services design for new distilleries and covered Scottish research into whisky fermentation. These are sector topics rather than announced technical specifications for Glenachulish.

What people are saying

A Glenachulish Distillery spokesperson said the business wanted to establish a place on Scotland’s whisky visitor trail while creating employment and economic benefits locally.

The spokesperson said the ambition was to give visitors another reason to spend time exploring the area, alongside opportunities for local people to enter the industry. The team hopes future distillers and other whisky professionals will come from the surrounding community.

The spokesperson also said feedback received during the planning process had helped shape the proposals, and thanked those who had contributed their views.

What happens next

Delivery is planned in two phases. Work on the first phase is expected to begin in 2027, followed by the start of production in 2028.

The source does not give a programme for the second phase or a separate opening date for the visitor facilities. Planning permission is the confirmed milestone; construction has not been reported as under way.