Drams flow as Springbank opens new £6.2million bottling hall

Construction on the new bottling hall began in early 2024, although the project had been in planning for several years before being delayed by the Covid pandemic.

Built by Campbeltown firm McFadyens Contractors, the facility ultimately cost £6.2million, significantly higher than the originally budgeted £4million.

Addressing the crowd, bottling operations manager Lea Watson spoke of the company’s excitement at finally seeing the hall fully operational.

J & A Mitchell chairman Neil Clapperton spoke of the journey to bring the project to completion before officially opening the building, inviting local woman Gillian MacIntyre from the crowd to join him for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

A further welcome from director of production Findlay Ross followed before guests were invited to explore the new facility for themselves.

Visitors toured the hall while enjoying drams of a special commemorative release bottled for the occasion – a Springbank eight-year-old fresh sherry matured whisky, limited to just 1,200 bottles, which also went on sale during the event.

It was not just whisky on offer, with Prosecco and soft drinks also available for guests attending the opening.

The new bottling hall will be managed by Mrs Watson, with Julie Brown serving as bottling operations assistant manager.

The opening formed part of a packed week of events for the 2026 Campbeltown Malts Festival, which once again drew whisky enthusiasts from across the globe to Campbeltown.

The annual celebration of the town’s whisky industry features the traditional open days at Campbeltown’s three working distilleries – Glen Scotia on Wednesday, Springbank on Thursday and Glengyle on Friday – alongside a packed programme of tastings, tours, dinners and special events.

Springbank, Glengyle and independent bottler Cadenhead’s – all owned by J & A Mitchell & Co Ltd – organised an extensive week of warehouse tastings, local barley farm tours, blending sessions and exclusive whisky experiences, while Glen Scotia hosted tastings, walking tours and its annual festival dinner.

The festival programme also included live music, local food vendors, craft stalls and entertainment across the town as Campbeltown celebrated its whisky heritage once again.

See next week’s Campbeltown Courier for full coverage from this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival.