Rok, the Stirling based building and maintenance company, is working on a project to improve and expand the historic Cameronbridge distillery.

Cameronbridge is a 20-acre site, steeped in history. The distillery opened in 1823 and was the first in the world to produce grain whisky on a large scale. The Rok team is currently working alongside other partners to refurbish and expand the Cameronbridge site; increasing capacity to accommodate global demand for the brands produced by the distillery.

Willie Boyce, project manager for Rok Stirling, said: "Cameronbridge has a capacity to produce 66 million litres of alcohol each year. Diageo, the owners and operators of the site have plans to increase annual output to around 100 million litres and we are working on expanding the facilities and infrastructure to facilitate this growth."

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The Rok team has recently completed work to demolish an existing warehouse, spirit store and office block to make way for the development. They have also rerouted pipework and laid new service ducts, drainage and site infrastructure in readiness for the second stage. Work is now advancing to develop a new Tun room - the central point and hub of the distillery where the transformation of spirits begins."

Willie added: "As the site has remained operational throughout, we have had to be mindful not to interfere or interrupt the day-to-day running of the distillery. Safety is the first priority at the site and as such, timing and careful planning has been of the utmost importance. We have had to undertake work within short windows of opportunity - such as during minimal shutdown periods or over weekends."

Jim McCowan, General Manager of Cameronbridge Distillery, said: "Many people will be aware of the brands produced at Cameronbridge. The distillery's output includes grain whisky which is used in Diageo blends including Johnnie Walker, J&B and Bell's alongside white spirit brands such as Tanqueray, Gordon's Gin and Smirnoff Vodka.

"Cameronbridge is one of our most important sites - contributing a significant proportion of our annual output and being of key historical importance. This has been a real team effort and work continues to advance and progress to schedule. We are delighted with the results so far – the product of successful partnership working from all concerned."

(GK/JM)