The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience wins at the Scottish Design Awards 2018

Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners is delighted to have been announced as winner of the Scottish Design Award in the ‘Culture and Leisure’ category for the recently-opened ‘Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience,’ designed by Senior Partner Graham Stirk.

Now in their 20th year, the awards ceremony took place last night in Glasgow, honouring top architecture firms and design agencies for their contribution to the country’s historic and contemporary design culture. Organised by Urban Realm in partnership with the Drum, the awards are open to all Scottish companies and also to those with a Scottish client.

The Macallan Distillery and Visitor Experience opened in June 2018 to much critical and public acclaim. Designed for Edrington, RSHP worked alongside structural engineers ARUP, Robertson Construction Group, Gillespies landscape architects, Forsyths process contractors and Speirs + Major lighting consultants, to deliver a unique brand home that could reveal the production processes and welcome visitors while remaining sensitive to the beautiful surrounding countryside.

The new distillery is set into the landscape of the 18th century Easter Elchies manor estate in Speyside Scotland, a site that has been responsible for creating the whisky since 1824. Aiming to produce a contemporary distillery which would embody the international style of the Macallan and build on the brand’s tradition of quality and craftsmanship, the new building provides a facility capable of increased production while allowing for easy expansion in years to come.

RSHP is honoured by the recognition of this award and to have furthermore come up against such esteemed architects in this category.

“We are honoured and proud to have assisted The Macallan in realising their vision for a new 21st century distillery and visitor experience within one of the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland. It signals that the future as well as respecting the past to create a unique addition to the brand home. This serves to communicate the traditions, beauty, and importance of Scottish whisky-making to the world.” – Graham Stirk, Senior Partner, RSHP

“We are pleased to receive this very special honour from the Scottish design awards which is a recognition of all the hard work undertaken by the entire project team for this exceptional project.” – Toby Jeavons, Associate Partner, RSHP

"The visionary design and successful construction of this exciting new distillery and visitor experience has been made possible through hard work, commitment, innovation and collaboration. It is wonderful to see this recognised through this award." - Scott McCroskie, Managing Director, The Macallan