UK: Diageo facing opposition over plans to demolish Talisker Distillery in Skye

Scotch whisky giant Diageo is facing opposition from 50 residents over its plans to demolish the Talisker Distillery in Skye, The National reported on September 16.

In June, Diageo submitted a planning application to Highland Council to demolish the current site in the village of Carbost and replace it with a larger distillery.

The move was made in an effort to expand whisky production and support Diageo’s “long-term ambitions for Scotch”.

The planning application opened to public consultation earlier this month, with 50 comments already made in opposition to the project, alongside eight supporting comments – according to The Spirits Business.

Some are concerned over the scale of the project and that it would be “disproportionate” to the village and its landscapes.

One local claimed that the proposed expansion will not result in the creation of a single job, while another brought up the “disruption and nuisance to the local community” the construction phase will bring.

Others, meanwhile, suggested that a new facility was “long overdue” and could bring additional income to the village during the construction phase.

A Diageo spokesperson said: “We continually review our production footprint in support of our long-term growth ambitions for Scotch whisky. We have recently submitted a full planning application to Highland Council for the expansion of Talisker Distillery following a period of public consultation.

“At this stage, we do not have definitive investment plans and will continue to explore and evaluate the options available to us.”