Approval of the planning application for a distillery at Farkin on Islay has been welcomed, with calls for better roads and ferry infrastructure to meet the needs of the islands growing economy.

Highlands and Islands MSP Donald Cameron said: “Another distillery is good for the local economy but it will inevitably place further demands on Islay’s road infrastructure and could also have implications for ferry capacity, particularly during the tourist season.

“It’s therefore very important that shortcomings in Islay’s transport infrastructure are urgently addressed by the Scottish Government and its agencies.

“Ministers have been very slow to act on the longstanding issues with the A83, so they will have to up their game considerably to ensure that residents and businesses on Islay are not disadvantaged.”

Local Councillor Alastair Redman (Kintyre and the Islands) added: “This is good news for jobs and that is always welcome.

“But everyone on Islay has concerns about the state of our roads.

“The new distillery really needs to be a catalyst for a significant upgrade otherwise things can only get worse, and that just is not acceptable.”

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