The owners of the historic Coleburn Distillery have broken ground this month with plans for first phase of Whisky Resort at Coleburn granted.
Moray Council has approved plans for an on-site bistro at Coleburn Distillery in Longmorn, Elgin, marking a significant milestone in the site’s wider master plan to create a world-class whisky and hospitality resort, anticipated to be the first of its kind globally.
With an opening targeted for late autumn this year, The Kitchery at Coleburn will be housed within the former Piggery building. Once used for livestock, the structure is being thoughtfully reimagined as a contemporary bistro showcasing food and drink rooted in locally sourced Scottish produce. The project carefully adapts the historic building for modern use while preserving its original character.
Developed in collaboration with award-winning design studio Significant Others, the project reflects a multi-million-pound investment in the famous whisky region. It is expected to create 15 direct jobs, alongside additional opportunities across the local economy, particularly in agriculture, logistics, and hospitality.
Gwenda Smits, Director at Coleburn commented:
“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. Central to the overall project is the sense of community and coming together, and we can’t wait to welcome people from both near and far to the new bistro in the heart of Speyside.”
The architectural approach to The Kitchery draws on traditional forms, thoughtfully balanced with contemporary interventions. New glazed façades will create a warm and inviting arrival, drawing visitors into the space. The building’s elongated form has been used to choreograph a considered customer journey, with each stage offering a distinct and evolving experience, reinforcing a sense of quality and discovery throughout.
The experience will begin with a welcoming bar and retail space. From there, guests will move into a private dining and tasting room, divided by a bespoke stave wall that offers a sense of separation while still feeling connected. Beyond this, the space will open out into a relaxed bistro, with a mix of cosy booths and flexible seating for up to 62 guests. At its heart, a chef’s table-style finishing kitchen will add a touch of theatre, bringing energy and interaction to the dining experience.
Materiality will play a central role in shaping the interior atmosphere. Warm leathers, natural timbers, aged copper, and backlit rippled glass combine to create a rich, layered aesthetic rooted in the spirit of the distillery while delivering a fresh, contemporary feel.
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 collaboration with Reheat.
Neil Harrison, Director at Reheat, commented:
“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.”
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“There are many more steps to follow, but their decision to opt for a biomass system underlines their commitment to the local economy, local sourcing, and doing things the right way from the off, plus a project combining listed buildings, district heating, a hospitality setting, and whisky is at the centre of our competence Venn diagram.”
At the end of last year, The Distillery at Coleburn unveiled its first collection of whisky bottlings, the ‘Local Heros’ collection, which brings together exceptional whiskies under a unifying vision, celebrating the makers, custodians, and enthusiasts whose passion continues to connect local heritage with a global whisky community.
The inaugural release introduced three blended malts bottled on-site in Speyside, comprising ‘Sweet Peat’, ‘Big Smoke’, and ‘Sherry Bomb’, each offering a distinct flavour profile.
