It is expected that the project will generate whisky sales of at least £29.8m in the first decade and an additional £2.2m in the visitor centre’s cafe-bar.

Michael Morrison, managing director and his wife, Katie, set up their distilling business in 2016. Their first product, Barra Atlantic Gin, was launched in August 2017, initially produced elsewhere under contract but made on the island since Scotland’s most westerly distillery opened in 2019.

The addition last year of copper stills made by Forsyths, of Rothes, allowed gin production to soar from 87 bottles per distilling run to more than 500, with the product now reaching nearly 200 countries.

Mr and Mrs Morrison are regularly asked if the distillery makes whisky, which it currently does not. However, this is set to change under their ambitious plans to grow the business, with the duo looking in particular to tap into Barra’s historic links to the spirit, The Press and Journal reports. 

One of Barra’s former residents, Compton Mackenzie, wrote a book based on an incident in 1941 when a cargo ship – SS Politician – carrying 22,000 cases of malt whisky, ran aground off the neighbouring island of Eriskay.

Mr Morrison said: “For as long as we can remember, and certainly since we launched Isle of Barra Distillers, we’ve consistently been asked if we produce whisky because of the name Barra and the instant connection people make with Whisky Galore.

“A key point to why we feel this (new) distillery will be a success is the vital aspect that we have had a product already on the market for three years, our award-winning Barra Atlantic Gin.

“This is a vital source of funds while running our distillery, but it is so much more than that. We have amassed a large following across social media, close to 50,000 followers.”

He continued: “Our customer base has grown four-fold in the last 12 months. We currently distribute to two overseas markets, with several more to follow in the coming year.

“All these factors show that we can build a brand from scratch and turn it into a successful operation, and that was done at a standing start with very little knowledge.

“As we are a more experienced young business having grown our business reputation, we can transfer all this knowledge into our new venture.”

Mr Morrison added: “The facility is expected to create at least 30 new jobs within the fragile island community of Barra, while ensuring the plant is powered by renewable energy – built with sustainable materials – and the company aims to develop a green travel plan to limit the number of visitors driving to the site.”

The Morrisons hope to submit their planning application for the site, which lies north of Barra Airport, in July and open their new distillery in mid-2023.

Their company, which currently employs four people, aims to raise £1m for the project by selling 200 “founders reserve” casks of its yet-to-be made single malt for £5,000 each. It also hopes to grow its own barley for the whisky.

If all goes to plan, Barra’s new production facility would take the number of single malt whisky distilleries in the Inner and Outer Hebrides to seven.