Plans have been unveiled to build a new craft beer bar and brewery in a small Highland village which could be a major tourist draw and create up to a dozen jobs.
The owners of Glen Affric Brewery, who currently operates a brewery in Liverpool, are aiming to demolish and build a new “bespoke” facility at the derelict Glen Affric Hotel site in Cannich by next spring.
Co-founder and head brewer, Craig McCormick, said his family bought the former Glen Affric Bar – which is attached to the hotel – after buying a nearby holiday home in 2011 with the aim of opening it up as a brewery.
But the plans were put on hold amid an ongoing eviction saga involving the former hotel owner, Louise Hodgson, who spent eight years squatting in the dilapidated premises after being sequestrated for not paying council tax and business rates.
Police and court officers finally removed her from the building in 2015 – and the Glen Affric Hotel is under new ownership.
And now, having expanded their brewery based near their family home in Liverpool, the adjoining bar’s owners feel they are ready to implement their original plans in Cannich.
Mr McCormick said: “Up here (Glen Affric) is definitely the birthplace of the whole idea. We are fully committed to making this happen.
“I think it will be huge for the area. The new site we are proposing is geared towards tourists, but we are definitely intending on hiring a lot of local people who are extremely passionate about getting behind this.”
Mr McCormick said the new craft bar and brewery would offer a range of up to 16 modern craft beers on draft, as well as fridges stocked with cans.
The 27-year-old said he grew up in Hong Kong and moved to Shangai several years ago to work for his father’s business, but discovered his passion there for brewing amid a craft beer renaissance in China.
He has also spent time researching the craft brewing industry in America and obtained specialist brewing qualifications in Sunderland in north-east England.
Glen Affric Brewery became fully operational in Liverpool in 2016 and Mr McCormick said that its popularity has soared in the past six months, mainly due to the introduction of an on site bar.
He added that the new facility in Cannich would have a brewing area at the back and offer tours to help educate about the craft beer-making process.
