Work has begun on a bistro at Coleburn Distillery in Longmorn, near Elgin, following planning approval from Moray Council for the first phase of a wider whisky and hospitality resort on the site.
The Kitchery at Coleburn will occupy a converted former piggery building and is targeted to open in late autumn this year. The project is being developed with design studio Significant Others and forms part of a multi-million-pound investment in the site. It is expected to create 15 direct jobs, with further economic benefits anticipated across agriculture, logistics, and hospitality in the wider area.
The interior will include a bar and retail area, a private dining and tasting room, with a 62-cover bistro with a chef’s table-style kitchen. A biomass boiler is also being installed in partnership with Reheat, which will serve as the primary heat source for the site, part of a planned district heating network covering multiple buildings.
Gwenda Smits, Director at Coleburn said, “This marks the first of many milestones in the development of the wider Coleburn Whisky Resort. The Kitchery is just the start and breaking ground feels like a very special moment. Opening the space as an initial introduction to the site establishes it as an integral part of what will be a much larger offering, giving visitors the opportunity to return year-round, follow its progress, and enjoy the food and beverage experience.”
Ruth Hay, Director at Significant Others added, “It’s an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved. Seeing The Kitchery come to life this year will mark a significant milestone, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum with the next phases of the masterplan as the wider vision for Coleburn continues to unfold.”
Construction began on the site last month, with the installation of a biomass boiler implemented as part of a broader commitment to sustainability, in parnership with Reheat. Neil Harrison, Director at Reheat said, “We’ve been working with the team at Coleburn on how best to underpin their operations with low carbon energy for some years now, and it’s fantastic to see this first practical step being taken on their journey to bring their plans to reality with the installation of a district heating network to meet the heating and hot water needs of multiple buildings on the site.”
Coleburn Distillery released its first whisky bottlings at the end of last year, under the name ‘Local Heros’, a collection of three blended malts bottled on-site: ‘Sweet Peat’, ‘Big Smoke’, and ‘Sherry Bomb’. The bistro opening will mark the first public-facing hospitality development at the site as the broader resort masterplan progresses.
