The Macallan distillery and visitor experience, located on Easter Elchies estate in Speyside, took home the coveted ‘Building of the Year’ title at the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) Saltire Awards at the National Museum of Scotland last week.

The award builds on Robertson’s existing civil engineering success after the Cuningar Loop Woodland Park and Footbridge in Glasgow scooped the ICE Community Award in 2017.

Brian Anderson, Robertson’s project director for The Macallan, said: “Civil engineering excellence was essential for the delivery of what is without doubt the world’s greatest distillery.

“The Macallan project is testament to the work of Team Robertson, applying all their technical skills, innovation and expertise to work with the distillery’s parent company Edrington, architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, structural engineers Arup and other partners to create a legacy for The Macallan.”

Engineering ingenuity was required to build the cutting-edge structure alongside existing distillery operations, with civil engineering work including groundwork moves of over 500,000 tonnes of earth, the retention of over 50,000 litres of rainwater and concrete poured to create 12-metre-high retaining walls that support the roof structure – a spectacular piece of precision engineering.

Professor Sally Mapstone, president of the Saltire Society, said: “Civil engineers design, build and maintain the vital infrastructure on which our quality of life depends and these projects show Scotland at its best. The Saltire Society celebrates the Scottish imagination and talent and nowhere is this more evident than in the ‘art and science’ of civil engineering.”

The £140 million flagship distillery and visitor experience officially opened in June, with 60 new jobs created and visitor numbers expected to double.

George McKenzie, head of UK engineering at Edrington, added: “Throughout the project Robertson exceeded expectations by showing real commitment and dedication – both fundamental in overcoming design challenges and delivering sustainable solutions for the site.

“To receive the award is a reflection of the entire project team’s high level of skill, enthusiasm and passion for what is one of Scotland’s most significant projects.”

The ICE Saltire Award adds to the Structural Timber Awards’ ‘Winner of Winners’ title The Macallan received earlier in the month.