The firm was involved throughout the £25 million project that was first discussed with distillery owners, Gordon & MacPhail, back in 2014. The relationship between both parties was already well established, having worked together on different projects since 1992.

Head of WJM’s Inverness office, Angus MacLeod, and commercial property experts Paul Adams and Elisa Miller led the project.

Ewen Mackintosh, MD of Gordon & MacPhail, said: “As our long-term legal advisors, we knew that WJM had expertise across the board and we were entirely comfortable entrusting all of our legal needs to one team.

“WJM’s base in Inverness was a huge bonus for us as we wanted representation that really understood the significance and vision of the project as well as the regional nuances, and that could be there on the ground throughout.

“They were there when we were first discussed the possibility of the distillery right through to when the first spirit came off the stills, and we hope to have them by our side for many years to come as The Cairn establishes itself within the industry and the community.”

Angus MacLeod, head of the Inverness office, said: “The Cairn has been a wonderful development to be part of and is a great example of the range of services we offer as a firm, as well as our deep engagement with clients like G&M.”