R&B Distillers plans to open the first legal whisky distillery on the island of Raasay, just off the coast of Skye.

Scotch whisky distillery set for island

The multimillion-pound Raasay distillery is to feature a visitors centre and R&B hopes to open the distillery in January 2017, if planning permission is granted later this year. The company plans to develop luxury accommodation to cope with tourists.

R&B Distillers hopes to release the first batch of Raasay whisky by 2020 and produce up to 150,000 bottles of whisky a year thereafter.

Bill Dobbie, co-founder of online dating site Cupid, and business partner Alasdair Day, who currently produces Tweeddale whisky, founded R&B Distillers in 2014.

Day said: "It’s incredible to think that there are still areas of Scotland completely ‘forgotten’ by whisky.

"The Isle of Raasay is one of those unique locations."

Following a pre-planning application that was submitted to Highlands & Islands Council in January 2015, R&B Distillers is currently undertaking a protected species audit for bats, otters and the Raasay vole.

A wildlife report is expected at the end of August with a view to the full planning application being submitted by September.

The company is expecting around 12,000 people to visit the Raasay Distillery in its first year. The Scotch Whisky Association recently reported on record visitor figures for Scotch distilleries.

R&B Distillers has also said it aims to open a distillery in the Scottish Borders.