The warehouse is being erected on a plot bought from a local crofter, with completion slated for next month.

Ayr-based builder 3B Construction was awarded the contract for the Isle of Harris Distillers (IHD) facility, which will store up to 4,000 casks, the equivalent of a million bottles.

The company plans to open its distillery in the village of Tarbert this summer. From then on, it will be open every day “bar the Sabbath”.

IHD said the warehouse is another key step in the company’s progress with the unveiling of its distillery just around the corner.

In total, the company has raised £11.4million for the overall development of the business through grants and private equity funding.

IHD managing director Simon Erlanger said: “An opportunity came along to buy a piece of land at Ardhasaig, only three miles from the distillery site in Tarbert in a perfect spot for our casks to benefit from the prevailing weather arriving from the Atlantic.

“We believe the island’s climate is perfectly suited to maturation of our malt whisky and this is the perfect spot to take advantage of that.”