A north distillery claims a planning wrangle means the fledgling community-owned business is missing out on tourist trade at a rate of £1,000 a day.
GlenWyvis Distillery has already won awards since it opened last year but has been held back from taking full advantage due to concerns over access to its site, near Dingwall.
Bosses say they are within hours, in practical terms, of opening the working facility as a full visitor attraction.
“Base camp” visitor centre due to open for new community-owned distillery
But they have learned that Highland Council planning officers have concerns the local roads network will not be able to cope with increase traffic.
Managers are now concerned that if the decision is not heard in front the North Planning Committee very soon they could miss much of the lucrative tourist season.
They are pushing to be allowed to make their case but that may not happen until August and, even then, planners may recommend their application be refused.
Founder and managing director John Mckenzie believes that with the visitor centre closed they could be losing vital revenue from admissions and sales.
He also claims the hold-up is affecting the wider community when it comes to jobs and increased footfall in the town.
Mr McKenzie says he has in-depth analysis demonstrating there are adequate sight lines and distances for traffic.
Council roads officials, however, claim there is insufficient space on the road, which has a 60mph limit.
The GlenWyvis board has applied for the current restriction on access to the distillery to be lifted so that “carefully managed” distillery tours can commence.
In a statement the directors said that “given the huge local, national and international interest in GlenWyvis, the distillery has already taken many steps to ensure it is prepared to best manage visits or tours.
“A new, safer access to the distillery, which improves visibility, has been constructed – with plans for further improvements set to go ahead.
“The distillery is also seeking permission to erect warning signs at the road entrance and is working very hard to ensure minimum vehicle access to the distillery site by private car.
“Central to this is a plan to introduce an electric shuttle bus service that will collect all visitors from Dingwall town centre – in a move that will bring more visitors into the town to the benefit of the local economy.”
Mr Mckenzie added: “This is costing us up to £1,000 every day in lost revenue from the visitor centre.
“We have had more than 60 members of the public supporting our application for Section 42 removal but until planning permission is consented we are unable to offer tours at the distillery.
“Now, despite all the positive steps we have taken, our architect has advised the board just this week that the planning officer has recommended that the application for the Section 42 removal be refused.
“This is very disappointing and is the third thing to hit Dingwall in the past week – with Ross County relegated and the parking charges debate continuing.
“We do hope that we can get the local councillors to support our application, and help ensure that Dingwall can benefit from the economic benefits that the tours would undoubtedly bring.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The applicant clearly stated at that time that this application was originally submitted that it was for a farm diversification project and there would be no significant increase in traffic.
“The pending application is to remove this condition to allow managed visitor access to the distillery and sales from the premises.
“It is still under consideration and at this stage.”
The council said it was “not possible” to say whether the application would be determined under delegated powers or would have to go before the north applications planning committee.
If it goes to committee then the earliest date it can be considered would be August 1.
