Funding drive launched for new single malt whisky distillery

The new distillery will include a visitor centre

The company behind plans to bring single malt whisky distilling back to Edinburgh after a 90-year absence has launched a major fundraising drive.

Holyrood Distillery is looking to raise £5.5m from investors for a new distillery and visitor centre.

The funds will be used to renovate a former engine shed in St Leonard's Lane and buy and install equipment.

The cash will also be used to help cover early start-up and production costs.

Fundraising will be led by accountants and business advisers Johnston Carmichael.

Plans for the distillery were approved last year by the City of Edinburgh Council.

It is a joint development by David Robertson, former master distiller for The Macallan, and Rob and Kelly Carpenter, founders of the Canadian branch of The Scotch Malt Whisky Society.

The distillery plans to produce single malt whisky as well as gins, liqueurs and other spirits

Mr Carpenter said: "We are confident that by placing a working distillery in the heart of Edinburgh's capital, with the visitor numbers and cash flow that is expected to provide, we are creating something that is quite different from the typical distillery start-up."

The Holyrood Distillery will be Edinburgh's first single malt whisky distillery since Glen Sciennes closed in the 1920s.

There are also plans to produce gins, liqueurs and other spirits.

Distilling of Holyrood whisky is due to begin in late 2018, with bottles hitting the shelves as early as 2021, according to the company.