A new visitor centre looks set to be opened at a Callander gin distillery.
Stirling Council planners have conditionally approved an application by Cambusmore Estate Trust for the centre, an administration building plus the conversion of an existing barn into staff facilities at the gin house in Drumloist Road, four kilometres east of Callander.
Four representations were made in relation to the application, two objections citing concerns including increase in traffic, one comment from the Scottish Wildlife Trust relating to the potential for nesting birds and bats, and one comment from Stirling Access Panel.
However, in their decision, council planners said: “It is considered that the principle of this expansion is to enhance the visitor experience, and thus facilitate an increased number of visitors to the site. Furthermore, the distillery is currently located on site, thus the principle of this development is established, and the expansion of the current facilities is supported by policy.
“The existing barn on site is to be converted to the staff building. There are minimal alterations proposed to the external appearance of the building. The existing storage unit is to be removed and replaced with a visitor centre. The proposed building is two storey in height, and will be finished in a blue zinc cladding to match the adjacent distillery.
“The majority of the fenestration will be facing the west, and overlooking the car park. Although this results in a prominent building being visible on the approach, the building can be obscured with compensatory planting.”
A transport statement had concluded the visitor centre would generate a morning peak of 20 vehicle movements between 9-10am and an afternoon peak of 30 trips from 3-4pm.
The planners added: “This equates to one vehicle trip every three and two minutes respectively. It is considered Drumloist Road can accommodate this subject to passing place upgrades being delivered. A developer contribution of £7,800 has been sought from the applicant to upgrade two passing places.”
McQueen Gin was formed in 2015 by Dale and Vicky McQueen. The couple opened the £750,000 distillery at Upper Drumbane, Callander in 2018.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon officially opened it after the McQueens invested £750,000 in a new 6,200 square foot building aiming to increase manufacturing, bottling, packing and shipping capacity by more than 1,000 per cent and target an export market including Australia, USA and China.
Retired engineer Dale and chef Vicky lived and worked in Derbyshire before moving north to start their dream business.
