Announcement imminent on future of Dallas Dhu Distillery
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A HISTORIC visitor centre is to be upgraded.
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead is confident that Dallas Dhu Distillery, currently a four-star visitor centre run by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), will make a positive announcement soon.
Speaking ahead of a HES board meeting that is expected to agree to new plans for the site off the Dava Way on Mannachie Road, he said: "I've been in discussions with HES about realising the potential of Dallas Dhu, given it's very special character and heritage. I'm delighted that we are now on the brink of a decision that could breathe new life into the distillery and bring investment."
Dallas Dhu is typical of the many small distilleries built around 1900 to help quench the growing thirst for whisky. Advances in technology have since transformed many distilleries and closed others, but Dallas Dhu remains a well-preserved time capsule.
Dallas Dhu was the idea of entrepreneur Alexander Edward. In 1898, he built two new distilleries – Benromach and Dallasmore – to respond to demand for malt whisky for blending. Before Dallasmore went into production in 1899, Mr Edward sold the distillery to blending firm Wright & Greig Ltd who wanted it to ensure a supply of malt for its popular blend, Roderick Dhu. Dallasmore was re-named Dallas Dhu to highlight the link. The distillery filled its first barrel in 1899 and typically employed around 15 men.
It was closed as a working distillery in 1983 while there was falling demand and an unreliable water supply.
A HES spokesperson said: "We have been exploring opportunities to enhance the existing visitor offer at Dallas Dhu and are progressing discussions with a preferred partner."
