Business Gateway Fife has enabled Drew McKenzie Smith’s dream of bringing a distillery back to Lindores Abbey, move one step forward to becoming a reality with a unique package of business support and advice.
Drew’s plan to convert the steadings at Lindores Abbey into a distillery was recently presented at a public consultation meeting where he also outlined his plans for the business.
Having obtained financial support to carry out a feasibility study at the beginning of the project, Drew also received help from Business Gateway Fife in the form of financial expertise through the Expert Help Programme, PR in the local press and support to formulate an action plan and develop a timeline to coincide with the necessary planning requirements.
With the prospect of new jobs being created and the likelihood that local businesses will also benefit from what will also become a tourist attraction, the proposal has won the backing of the public.
The site is said to be the Spiritual Home of Scottish Whisky with the habiting Monks making the first recorded drop of whisky in 1494 for King James IV.
Drew is looking to develop the historic site and reconnect it with its historic reputation, capitalising on what many whisky lovers class as an essential pilgrimage.
Business Gateway Fife Managing Director, Brian Blackburn, said: "There has been a huge growth in whisky tourism over the last few years and demand remains high. We have had the pleasure of being able to support Kingsbarns Distillery & Visitor Centre as well as Eden Brewery of St Andrews and we are delighted to be supporting another distillery application in Fife."