Destination & Leisure
Based in Caithness, Stannergill Whisky Distillery is an independent distillery from the team behind the award-winning Rock Rose Gin, Holy Grass Vodka and Mapmaker’s Rum.
The restoration of the historic 200-year-old Castletown Mill represents the next chapter in the company’s journey. After becoming custodians of the previously derelict mill in 2020, the team set about transforming this iconic Caithness landmark into a destination whisky distillery celebrating heritage, craftsmanship and community.
Importantly for EV drivers, Stannergill is also ideally positioned on the famous North Coast 500 (NC500) route. With visitors travelling significant distances to explore the Highlands, reliable rapid charging provides another reason for EV drivers to stop, recharge and discover the distillery along the way.
As the new destination began welcoming visitors, the team was already seeing customers arrive looking for EV charging — highlighting a clear opportunity to enhance the visitor experience while driving additional footfall to the site.
Visitors were already arriving at Stannergill Whisky Distillery looking for somewhere to charge their electric vehicles, but there were no charging facilities available on site.
The team recognised an opportunity to meet this demand while also using EV charging to attract additional visitors to the destination.
With a restaurant and café on site, convenient charging could encourage EV drivers to stop, recharge and spend time exploring everything Stannergill has to offer.
There was, however, one important requirement: the installation couldn't interfere with the day-to-day operation of the business.
Both whisky production and the restaurant needed to remain fully operational throughout the works, making careful planning and project management essential.
"We could already see the demand for EV charging, with customers arriving at the distillery looking for chargers, so we knew it would be a great addition to the site and could help drive more visitors to our restaurant and café. Being on the NC500 also means we're ideally placed to provide rapid charging for EV drivers travelling through Caithness. Connekt were brilliant from start to finish. Our biggest priority was making sure the installation didn't interrupt whisky production or the restaurant, and the team delivered the entire project on time without disrupting our operation in the slightest. Communication throughout was fantastic, the charging stations are first class and everyone who has used them has been impressed. We couldn't be happier with the result."
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Connekt worked closely with Stannergill to understand the site, its visitors and the requirements of the business before recommending a rapid charging solution.
The installation included:
As EV drivers themselves, the Stannergill team understood the value of reliable rapid charging, making 50kW units a natural fit for the destination.
Connekt carefully planned and managed the installation around the distillery's operations, ensuring the project was completed on schedule without interrupting whisky production or restaurant service.
Clear communication throughout the project ensured the Stannergill team always knew what was happening and when.
Stannergill Whisky Distillery now has a first-class rapid charging facility that complements its ambition to become a must-visit destination in Caithness.
Its position on the NC500 also makes the chargers particularly valuable for EV drivers exploring one of Scotland's most famous road trips, providing an opportunity to recharge both their vehicle and themselves before continuing their journey.
The chargers provide:
Instead of waiting at a traditional charging location, drivers can spend their charging time exploring the restored mill, discovering Stannergill's spirits or enjoying the restaurant and café.
Early feedback has also been extremely positive, with visitors impressed by the quality of the new charging facilities.
Stannergill Whisky Distillery is bringing new life to a historic Caithness landmark, combining more than 200 years of heritage with an ambitious vision for its future.
By partnering with Connekt, the distillery has added rapid EV charging that supports its own visitors while providing a valuable facility for electric vehicle drivers exploring the NC500.
The installation creates an opportunity to turn charging time into valuable visitor time — encouraging passing drivers to stop, discover the distillery and support the wider visitor economy.
And with Connekt delivering the project seamlessly around a working distillery and restaurant, Stannergill can provide this new service without compromising the experience it already offers.
