Sutherland-based Thompson Brothers have launched a £1.8 million crowdfunding campaign to build what they claim will be one of the world’s most sustainable whisky distilleries. The new Struie Distillery in Dornoch will feature patent-pending technology and renewable energy sources to achieve zero carbon emissions across scope one and two operations.
Located less than 200 meters from their current Dornoch Distillery, the cutting-edge facility aims to increase production capacity by up to 20 times while maintaining the quality that has made their releases consistently oversubscribed.
“Our vision is to create a distillery that not only produces exceptional spirits but also sets a new standard for environmental responsibility in the industry,” said Phil Thompson, co-founder of Thompson Brothers. “This crowdfunding campaign is about financing the build through the support of the wonderful whisky community that will help us to grow and share more Sutherland spirits with the world, all whilst bringing more long-term non-seasonal employment to the region we call home.”
Thompson Brothers’ Sustainable Vision
The brothers’ ambitious plans center on sustainability, with a unique still and condenser design engineered to run entirely on on-site generated renewable energy. This proprietary technology, which is patent-pending, is expected to make Struie Distillery among the most energy-efficient distilleries in the world.
Simon Thompson explained their vision: “We’re building Struie Distillery with a blend of past, present and future thinking. The goals we’ve put in place are about making great whisky right away, utilizing many old-style production principles that we already run at Dornoch Distillery, but also building something unique and sustainable.”
The new facility will handle the complete production process on-site, from distillation to bottling and shipping, with only malting occurring elsewhere.
Economic Impact
Beyond environmental benefits, the project promises a significant economic impact for the region. The distillery is expected to create 10 new jobs in the local area and engage with an estimated 12,000 annual visitors to Dornoch, home to the Dornoch Castle Hotel, its renowned whisky bar, and the world-class Royal Dornoch Golf Club.
The £1.8 million crowdfunding drive forms part of a larger £5 million investment into Thompson Independent Traders Limited, the group that encompasses Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch Distillery Company Limited, Thompson Bros independent bottling and blending operations, and the new Struie Distillery development.
The remaining £3.2 million will come from a combination of new and existing investors through fundraising. The distillery design has been created by Leask Architects.
Since establishing their independent whisky business in 2016, Phil and Simon Thompson have built a reputation for quality across their single malt whisky casks, independent bottlings, and gin products.
