Project details
Client
Professor David Thomson
Value
£3.6m
Duration
July 2012 – October 2014
WHK Team
Robert Macnaughton
John Cairns
Nigel Campbell
Fiona McLintock
Building Safety Group Ltd
Client Team
Fiona Sinclair Architects
CDM Scotland Ltd
Thomas J Ross
Addison Conservation & Design
Funding Partners
Regional Selection Assistance
Community Engagement
3 Local SME’s
2 Local Plant Suppliers
4 Local Material/Reclamation Suppliers
3 Local Employment Placements
Awards
RICS Scotland Awards: Recognised in Building Conservation category
Overview
We were delighted to take on the role of Main Contractor for the careful and tasteful restoration of the historic Annandale whisky facility which started production in the 19th century around Robert Burns’ time. Described by the owners as the ‘rebirth of an old distillery into a 21st century whisky making centre and visitor attraction’. The requirement to pour the first barrel on the client’s birthday this year was fulfilled, and indeed, completion and reopening of this joinery-led project has featured heavily in national news, press and multimedia
Our remit was to replicate and recreate the history of the Grade B Listed Building, by replicating the carpentry and joinery work of the dilapidated structure comprising bonded warehouses, maltings, kiln and still house. The farmhouse style building had collapsed, roofs were rotted and for many buildings, there were no roofs. Random windows were in a poor state of repair. Aesthetics and quality were fundamental to the success of this project. Joinery finishings including windows, doors, sliding doors all required careful attention. On contract award the Client was very clear that quality was more important on this project than price.
Key Features
Major reconstruction works were carefully planned to rescue as much of the original structure as possible, with extensive piling and underpinning. Thereafter the buildings were reconstructed using reclaimed and salvaged materials to match the existing.
Considerable drainage works were carried out, complete with the installation of a SUDS chamber.
The original Charles Doig-designed malt kiln pagoda roof was damp, riddled with woodworm and dry rot. Our joinery team undertook the internal and external cladding works to restore the copper domed kiln.
Our highly skilled carpentry team managed all carpentry works including the sourcing of baulk timbers for the purlins and queen post trusses (in Siberian Larch).
Careful planning was required to ensure all trusses were completed, sarking secured and waterproof membrane in place to strict timescales, keeping the Maltings wind and water tight
The replication of over 120 random type windows (sash and case, casement and deadlight) was achieved through bespoke manufacturing for an intense period within our in-house workshop facility
Existing services to the buildings was minimal necessitating the requirement for the complete installation of all modern services to enable the everyday running of the distillery offices, visitors centre and whisky manufacturing facility whilst maintaining the integrity and aesthetics of the buildings unique features.
‘I am very pleased that we selected W H Kirkwood Ltd for our Annandale Distillery project. Thank you for your care and attention”
David Thomson, Proprietor, Annandale Distillery