Landmark deal for world-first robotic whisky warehouse at Machrihanish
A former Cold War aircraft hangar at Machrihanish is being transformed into what is believed to be the world’s first fully automated bonded whisky warehouse – and it has now secured a landmark partnership with one of the UK’s first institutional-grade whisky investment funds.
Campbeltown Bond Limited has been appointed exclusive storage, maturation and custodial partner for the Caledonian Malt Fund L.P., in a move directors say underlines both the scale of their ambition and confidence in Campbeltown’s whisky revival.
The bond, based within the historic Gaydon Hangar at Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC) Business Park, is an HMRC-licensed facility designed to hold up to 37,500 casks.
Once fully operational, it will combine traditional coastal maturation conditions with a robotic racking and retrieval system more commonly associated with large-scale logistics centres.
Speaking to the Courier at the site this week, directors Sam Brooks and Danny Cammiss said the agreement with the Caledonian Malt Fund represents a milestone moment for the business.
Mr Cammiss said centralising stock in one facility was a key factor for the Fund.
“Instead of having casks stored all around Scotland, it’s all in one place and it simplifies the auditing process for them,” he said. “it’s really exciting news for us.”
At the heart of the facility is a robotic racking system which allows individual casks to be retrieved in minutes. In traditional dunnage warehouses, casks are stacked by hand and accessing one cask can require many others to be moved – a labour-intensive and time-consuming process.
At Campbeltown Bond, automated lifts and rail-mounted robots raise, transport and position casks with minimal disturbance, in what the company believes is the first time this type of automation has been purpose-built for Scotch whisky maturation.
“The technology exits in places like IKEA and supermarket distribution centres,” said Mr Brooks, “but it’s never adapted for casks. This is the first time it’s ever been done, as far as we know.”
As well as improving access, the system is intended to reduce handling and potential disruption to maturing spirit.
“Casks are made to roll, absolutely, but if you can mitigate disturbance to the spirit by lifting it precisely with a robot, that can only be a good thing,” said Mr Brooks. “In a traditional warehouse you might have to move 100 casks to get one out. Here, it’s a fraction of that.”
Plans are also in place to integrate weighing technology into the robots, allowing operators to estimate evaporation levels – known in the industry as the “angel’s share” – without the need for frequent manual regauging.
The bond also operates a digital platform known as Vapour, through which cask owners can log in to view data, request samples and see the location of their casks within a 3D map of the warehouse.
“But we also want people to come and see their casks in person,” said Mr Brooks. “it’s a tangible asset – people want to see it, smell it, taste it.”
While the technology is cutting-edge, the setting is steeped in history. The Gaydon Hangar was constructed in the 1950s as part of the UK’s Cold War defence infrastructure and later played a role in NATO operations.
In more recent years, it hosted a land-based salmon farming venture before its latest transformation which has seen it partitioned off into separate warehouse “cells”.
Located less than a kilometre from the Atlantic Ocean, the site was chosen in part for its coastal climate. The directors say the naturally humid, maritime conditions – supported by a purpose-built ventilation system – are well suited to long-term whisky maturation.
The project comes at a time when Campbeltown’s whisky industry is experiencing renewed momentum, with three new distilleries planned in addition to the three currently operating – Spingbank, Glen Scotia and Glengyle.
Campbeltown Bond’s directors say their long-term aim is to support that resurgence by providing modern infrastructure within the region, enabling distilleries and investors to distil, mature and potentially bottle spirit locally rather than transporting it elsewhere in Scotland.
The company currently employs three permanent members of staff and has been working with as many local contractors as possible during the build phase.
As plans for the site develop – including a proposed cooperage, bottling hall, tasting rooms, humidity-controlled cigar room, retail space and hospitality offering open to the public – the directors estimate that at least 25 jobs could be created.
Mr Brooks said: “Our dream is that our clients come here, visit their whisky and enjoy all the attractions the bond has to offer, but then stay for a couple of days and see how beautiful it is here and explore the many things to do – from golf and distillery tours to historic town walks or even a hike to Davaar Island.”
Investment in the project is understood to be in the region of £10-£15 million. The company has signed a long-term lease on the hangar and says it is committed to establishing a permanent presence in the town.
“We want to be part of the community and for the community to be part of us,” said Mr Brooks. “this isn’t a flash in the pan. We’ve signed a very long lease and we’re here for the long term.”
Automation of the first racked cell is expected to be fully commissioned in the coming weeks, with further phases to follow.
Details of an open day, giving local residents and businesses an opportunity to see inside the facility, will be released soon – watch this space for more information.