Green light for £12m Rosebank Distillery revival

Falkirk Council has granted planning permission for the long-awaited restoration of a famous local distillery.The £12 million project will see the Rosebank chimney retained along with other historically significant buildings, while the distillery itself will be a contemporary design and run on the most energy-efficient lines possible.Ian Macleod Distillers, which announced its decision to rescue one of the great “lost distilleries” of Scotland back in October 2017, said the announcement brings an end to endless site visits and meetings with planners and architects, as well as a protracted public enquiry. Rosebank ceased production in 1993 when former owner UDV (now Diageo), mothballed the site and its maltings were converted into a restaurant.After 25 years of lying dormant, the extensive work to revitalise the Distillery is now expected to begin shortly. This will generate 25 full time equivalent jobs for the local economy when it commences distillation and opens to visitors around autumn 2020.Following planning approval, Ian Macleod is purchasing the Rosebank site from its current owners Scottish Canals.