Plans lodged for vodka, gin and whisky distillery on family-run farm

Ambitious plans to establish a commercial distillery in west Fife have been submitted to Fife Council.

Knockhill Distillery could create up to 11 new jobs and build a platform for future development if proposals for the new facility at Din Moss Farm near Dunfermline are given the go ahead.

The family-run farm currently produces sheep and poultry but, with grazing only available seasonally, landowners are keen to turn an existing farm building into a malt distillery, maturation warehouse and bottling plant – all under the one roof.

A gin and vodka distillation still will be run alongside the whisky still to generate additional income and allow those behind the project to develop and market the brand whilst the malt matures for a minimum of three years.

A spokesperson for Knockhill Distillery said the business plan submitted alongside the application demonstrates the business will be both “viable and sustainable” – and urged Fife Council planners to back the proposals.

“This plan shows that Knockhill Distillery has the potential to be successful, will immediately provide rural employment opportunities to local fabrication, plumbing and electrical firms, will provide up to 11 staff roles including trainee positions and has the possibility of creating a Fife tourist facility in the future with further employment opportunities,” the spokesperson added.

“We aim to operate as a carbon neutral business from the outset and will adhere a strong requisite to purchase and support local producers.”

According to the plans, there is a second existing building on site which could be used as an additional maturation warehouse if required, with very little need for any physical changes to external finishings.

The distillery will also use a wood chip-fuelled biomass plant as its main source of fuel with electrical backup.

The farm has an extensive commercial woodland on site which is ready for harvesting, and the farm’s own softwood timber would be used to power the distillery.

By local democracy reporter Craig Smith