Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie’s (WJM) team of advisors provided a full range of legal services to long-standing client Gordon & MacPhail during the development of their new distillery.

The firm was involved throughout the £25 million project that was first discussed with distillery owners, Gordon & MacPhail, back in 2014. The relationship between both parties was already well established, having worked together on different projects since 1992.

Head of WJM’s Inverness office, Angus MacLeod, and commercial property experts Paul Adams and Elisa Miller led the project which required a multitude of specialist knowledge, including commercial property, planning, construction law, procurement, and intellectual property – the latter of which guaranteed the use of brand name “The Cairn” for years to come.

Working alongside the Gordon & MacPhail team and their project manager, WJM were involved in ongoing discussions with architects, Highland Council representatives, National Park staff, and other community stakeholders. This rigorous stakeholder engagement ensured all the necessary information to provide an extensive environmental impact assessment, habitats regulations appraisal, and hold a satisfying public consultation, was gathered.

Ewen Mackintosh, MD of Gordon & MacPhail, said: “As our long-term legal advisors, we knew that WJM had expertise across the board and we were entirely comfortable entrusting all of our legal needs to one team.

“WJM’s base in Inverness was a huge bonus for us as we wanted representation that really understood the significance and vision of the project as well as the regional nuances, and that could be there on the ground throughout.

“They were there when we were first discussed the possibility of the distillery right through to when the first spirit came off the stills, and we hope to have them by our side for many years to come as The Cairn establishes itself within the industry and the community.”

The unique setting and ground-up nature of the project demanded that WJM helped to secure unique contracts such as a water extraction agreement, which is critical to the operation and futureproofing of the distillery.

Both parties were proud to be the first project to have a major planning application approved in the Cairngorm National Park, receiving no objections.

Angus MacLeod, head of the Inverness office, said: “The Cairn has been a wonderful development to be part of and is a great example of the range of services we offer as a firm, as well as our deep engagement with clients like G&M.

“I am incredibly proud of the team for their exceptional work throughout the development that made it one of the most enjoyable projects of my legal career to date.

“G&M are a long-established but also very forward-thinking client, and I’m looking forward to working hand-in-glove with Ewen and the team at Gordon & MacPhail again with their next exciting project.”