Thompson brothers launch crowdfunding campaign for new ‘Struie’ eco-distillery in Dornoch with hopes of construction starting this summer
The two brothers behind an ambitious plan to build a new £8 million eco-distillery complex in Dornoch have announced the launch of a public crowdfunding campaign to help pay for it.
The move follows the launch of a private fundraiser earlier this year to raise Series A cash (the first major round of venture capital financing a start-up receives), which has attracted investors from across the globe.
Phil and Simon Thompson hope to raise between £4 million and £5 million initially, which would allow construction work to begin this summer on a 7.5-acre site in Dornoch South.
The ambitious, zero carbon emission development - to be called Struie Distillery - has been designed by Leask Architects, and includes a new two-storey distillery, warehouses, and a low-lying solar farm.
Planning permission and a building warrant are already in place.
An existing 1880s gas works building will be converted into a visitor centre with a tasting bar and shop.
The Thompson brothers, whose parents ran the Dornoch Castle Hotel, set up Dornoch Distillery in 2017, following a successful initial crowdfunding campaign.
The micro-distillery, which operates out of the town’s historic, 134-year-old old fire station in the grounds of the Castle Hotel, produces artisan gin, vodka and whisky.
They went on to set up an award-winning bottling operation, Thompson Bros, from a unit in Dornoch’s Station Square, releasing independent bottlings of rum and whisky while the casks of Dornoch Distillery’s spirits are maturing.
The four businesses - Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch Distillery Company Limited, Thompson Bros Independent Bottling and the new ‘Struie’ distillery - have now been brought together under the umbrella of Thompson Independent Traders Ltd (TITL).
Simon and Philip have taken over the running of the hotel from their parents Colin and Ros, who bought the business 25 years ago, although they remain shareholders.
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The hotel has enjoyed a record-breaking January and February after huge efforts were made to encourage its visitor base to enjoy a winter break in the town.
The brothers said that while their original crowdfunder was rewards-based, the new one is for equity in Thompson Independent Traders Ltd.
Phil said: “The private fundraising is going well with investors from Taiwan, the US east and west coasts, Germany, the Canary Islands, the Isle of Man and Brazil.
He added that they were keen to raise awareness of the public fundraising campaign, as a number of people had said they were unaware of the initial fundraiser.
There is also the prospect of a grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise specifically linked to green technology.
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Phil said: “We hope to start construction in June or July, assuming we have raised enough money. We will not go out to tender until we know we can pay for it, but we have a short list of contractors.
“It is not a super complicated building architecturally; we are not doing anything difficult, and we reckon we should be up and running in 18 months.”
Struie Distillery will be fully electrified and ultra-low carbon, using a third of the energy consumption of standard distilleries thanks to a very high-temperature heat pump, along with thermal and battery energy storage systems.
“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.
“Since we first dreamt of a new distillery, everything we have done has been building towards that goal.
“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 while bringing more long-term non-seasonal employment to the regions we call home.”
The distillery will have the capacity to produce 400,000 litres of alcohol per year. The development will create jobs, doubling the existing workforce of 9.5 at Dornoch Distillery, and is expected to bring in over 12,000 visitors a year.
For more information about the Thompson Brothers crowdfunding campaign and investment opportunities, visit: www.crowdcube.com/early-access/struiedistillery
