72 MORRIS & SPOTTISWOOD- PORT ELLEN
MORRIS & SPOTTISWOOD- PORT ELLEN
Morris & Spottiswood has resumed construction of the new Portintruan Distillery near Port Ellen on Islay, reviving a landmark whisky project following the collapse of the original contractor and maintaining momentum on one of Scotland’ s most technically challenging distillery developments.
On Islay’ s rugged south coast, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, construction has restarted on a new distillery that will add another chapter to the island’ s renowned whisky heritage. Morris & Spottiswood has taken over delivery of the Portintruan Distillery, enabling work to continue after the project was temporarily halted following the collapse of the previous main contractor, ISG Construction.
Rather than beginning the project from scratch, Morris & Spottiswood inherited a partially completed scheme together with an established project team. To provide continuity for the client, the contractor recruited a number of former ISG personnel who had already been working on the development, allowing construction to recommence quickly while retaining valuable project knowledge.
The distillery is being developed for Elixir Distillers at Portintruan, close to Port Ellen, and represents a significant investment in Islay’ s internationally recognised whisky industry. Once complete, the facility will combine contemporary production processes with architecture designed to reflect the island’ s landscape and distilling tradition.
For Morris & Spottiswood, the project has presented a very different set of construction challenges from a mainland development. Every aspect of the programme has required detailed logistical planning, with materials, equipment and specialist subcontractors transported to the island via ferry. Limited sailing schedules, unpredictable weather conditions and restricted accommodation for the workforce have all influenced how the construction programme has been organised.
Maintaining progress under these conditions has relied on careful coordination between the contractor, client and supply chain. Construction activities have been planned around ferry availability and island logistics, with delivery schedules continually adjusted to accommodate changing weather and operational constraints.
Alongside these logistical considerations, Morris & Spottiswood has sought to maximise local involvement wherever possible. The company has worked with subcontractors and suppliers based on Islay, supporting the local economy while reducing the complexity associated with transporting labour and materials from the mainland.
The project also highlights the specialist nature of distillery construction. Unlike many industrial buildings, whisky production facilities require close integration between the building works and the process engineering installation. Construction teams must coordinate structural, architectural and services packages alongside the installation of specialist distilling equipment, ensuring each element is delivered in sequence.
Since returning to site in January 2025, Morris & Spottiswood has focused on maintaining programme momentum while integrating seamlessly with the existing design and project teams. The contractor has described
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