Highland Park is investing over £550,000 to replace the two pagoda roofs at its Grade B listed distillery in Kirkwall, Orkney.

A well-known sight synonymous with Scotch whisky distilleries, although few are still used for the production of single malt whisky, the pagoda roofs at Highland Park date back to the 1890s and are still in use today.  Specialist contractors have flown to the island to undertake the intricate works on one of the pagodas, due for completion by the end of this year, while the second will be replaced next year.

Highland Park distillery manager Russell Anderson commented: “The pagodas are an integral part of our whisky production process as we are one of only a few distilleries in Scotland that still carries out our own barley malting.  The pagoda roofs sit high above our peat-fired kilns and draw the smoke up through the barley which imparts a unique aromatic character to our whisky.This repair work is crucial, not just for aesthetic reasons.  We follow time old methods including this ancient drying technique because at Highland Park we believe that this adherence to traditional methods and our attention to detail is what makes us the best spirit in the world.”

The original pagoda roof, around 8 feet x 12 feet in size, will be kept for display at the distillery when the visitor centre undergoes a refurbishment next year. Councillor Stephen Hagan, Convener of Orkney Islands Council, said: "Highland Park is one of Orkney's most famous visitor attractions and it's great to see them investing in time old traditions at the distillery. The pagoda is a direct likeness of the original which tourists have come to expect and love and the Council was more than happy to have granted the go ahead for such a wonderful project."