What an exciting summer!

It’s been a bustling summer for Norbloc Construction and their dedicated team. The site has seen remarkable progress: stairways have been installed, final floor finishes are being laid, walls are receiving fresh coats of paint, and furniture is arriving thick and fast.

One of the most exciting deliveries was our stills, now proudly positioned in front of the grand window overlooking the sea—a truly breathtaking sight.

We’ve also completed work on the sack hoists, or grain elevators. On the 1818 wing, these original features have been glazed and clad in perforated zinc, preserving their historic exterior while allowing guests inside to enjoy stunning views of the bay. On the opposite wing, the third sack hoist has been glazed but left unclad, creating a light-filled space for our restaurant visitors to soak in the scenery.

We’re now in the final stages of internal works, with rooms nearing completion and character shining through every detail. The retail space features a beautiful Caithness Stone floor, complemented by exposed stone walls that echo the building’s rich heritage. This design continues throughout the ground floor of the mill, preserving its original charm wherever possible.

Where new walls were necessary, we’ve chosen paint colours that reflect the story of the mill, adding depth and meaning to every corner.

Upstairs, in the café and restaurant area, a gorgeous wooden floor is about to be laid. The furniture has arrived and is safely stored in our warehouse for now—but we’re keeping the final look under wraps. We’d love for you to experience the space in person when we open.

Outside, the courtyard is shaping up to be a showstopper. Spanning nearly 600m², it’s being re-laid with Caithness Stone from Norse Stone. It’s been a complex job, but the results are stunning—a warm and welcoming space that will make a lasting first impression.

While the restoration of the building has been progressing beautifully, there’s been equally important work happening behind the scenes on the distilling process.

Martin has been working closely with our engineering team and process specialists to design and implement the intricate process pipework. Much of the ventilation system is now in place, and we’ve reached a key milestone: the first pipe has been connected to the Spirit Water Receiver Vessel—the vessel from which our casks will be filled.

Although the process installation is taking a little longer than anticipated due to resource shortages, the team is working tirelessly to keep things moving. We’re now looking towards December to begin distilling, and we’re confident it will be worth the wait.

Joanne found the perfect image and has been researching its story; and Kevin has sourced single malt and grain whiskies to create a blend that pays homage to the special moment in time depicted in the image.  

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There are still tiles which could have your name on them! If you would like to be a lasting part of this buildings history then please consider sponsoring a roof tile. When the distillery is open to the public you will be able to come along to identify your tile, as we will provide you with it’s positioning on the roof.