A CONTRACTOR has been appointed for the £7million initial phase of the Ardgowan Distillery development in Inverkip.

Muir Construction has been awarded the contract, which is expected to last 12 months.

It will see the completion of the distillery’s main production elements – allowing the site to produce spirits from 2024.

Muir Construction has previously worked on several distilleries, including the Distell site in East Kilbride and Glenmorangie’s Alba Campus in Livingston.

Plans for the net-zero distillery – which is set to create almost 50 jobs – include a Nordic long hall-style main building and a glass-walled ‘sky platform’ enjoying views of the River Clyde.

Chief executive Martin McAdam said: “Partnering with Muir Construction for this first phase of the build is a major and very welcome step forward for us.

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“It was imperative that we selected a contractor who shares the same values for sustainability.

“Muir’s experience constructing some of the finest Scotch whisky distilleries open today, coupled with their hand in pioneering Scottish sustainability projects meant they were the perfect fit.”

Alan Muir, joint managing director at Muir Constriction, added: “We are delighted to be given the opportunity by Ardgowan Distillery to join the delivery team in what is an exceptional distillery.

“Not only will this be at the forefront of distilling fine whisky, but it will also be an outstanding statement in visual design, something I’m sure we will all be proud of on completion.”