Powering one of Scotland’s most advanced distilleries

Laggan Bay Distillery represents a significant investment in the future of Scotch whisky production on Islay.

Developed for long-standing client Ian Macleod Distillers, the state-of-the-art facility combines large-scale peated malt whisky production with energy-efficient processes and intelligent use of space, creating one of the most advanced distilleries in Scotland.

Working alongside distillery design specialists Allen Associates, which provided the process and utility system design, Kirkton Controls was appointed to design, manufacture, install and commission the complete electrical control system for the new distillery.

Allen Associates’ design incorporated innovative heat recovery systems, including thermal vapour recompression and condenser hot water recovery, helping to maximise energy efficiency while supporting the distillery’s long-term sustainability ambitions.

The project became the largest distillery installation ever undertaken by Kirkton Controls. Using Siemens SIMATIC WinCC Professional SCADA with redundant servers, the control system automates every stage of the production process through more than 300 field instruments, enabling every stage of production to be managed through a fully automated control system with minimal manual intervention.

Jacek from Kirkton Controls, commented: “Laggan Bay was one of the largest and most ambitious projects we’ve ever delivered. As the biggest distillery project in our history, it showcased the depth of expertise across our entire business.

From the initial design through to final commissioning, our design, software, manufacturing, installation and commissioning teams worked seamlessly as one to deliver a reliable, fully integrated control solution. Bringing every specialist discipline together under one roof allowed us to maintain quality, respond quickly throughout the programme and provide the client with a single point of responsibility from start to finish.

We’re incredibly proud of what the team achieved. The successful completion of Laggan Bay demonstrates our ability to deliver complex automation projects at scale and adds another landmark distillery to our growing portfolio.”

Delivering a project of this scale required more than engineering expertise. Kirkton Controls established a long-term operational presence on Islay to ensure continuity throughout the programme, providing the flexibility to respond quickly to project demands while strengthening its ability to support existing and future customers across the island.

The distillery was successfully designed, manufactured, installed, tested and commissioned, with the client delighted by the completed facility, which is now fully operational and has filled its first cask.

The successful delivery of Laggan Bay further strengthens Kirkton Controls’ extensive portfolio of distillery automation projects on Islay, joining previous work at Ardbeg, Bruichladdich and Portintruan Distillery. It also reinforces the company’s reputation for delivering complex turnkey automation solutions for the Scotch whisky industry.