Knockhill Distillery is based at Din Moss Farm near Steelend

And the family behind the plans for Knockhill Distillery, which is based at Din Moss Farm, east of Steelend and south of the racing circuit, will also make gin and vodka.

Plans submitted in January 2022 said 11 full-time jobs would be created with the aim of establishing a brand of our national drink that could be sold around the globe.

A spokesperson had explained: "The existing distilleries in Scotland each produce their own style of whisky, with the existing markets and more opening up across the world there is the opportunity to embrace this market and offer both old and new customers an exciting new whisky brand."

Knockhill Distillery, based at Din Moss Farm near Steelend, aims to produce a fine malt whisky that can be sold around the world. (Image: Knockhill Distillery)

Planning permission was granted by Fife Council last March and a commencement of development notice said work began on site last week.

The malt distillery, cask storage area and bottling plant will be located within an existing building on the farm.

It's also large enough that the operation can be expanded in the future.

The production of gin and vodka will allow them to make money while they wait for the malt to mature, which will take at least three years.

It's currently a sheep and poultry farm but with grazing restricted and income reduced due to wet ground conditions in the Autumn and winter months, the family spotted an opportunity to diversify.

The aim is to create West Fife's first distillery that is "viable and sustainable" with the latest energy efficient technologies and use of a wood chip fuelled biomass plant as the main source of fuel, with electrical back-up.

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It will support local producers, buying malting barley from a farm in Dunfermline, the glass bottles will be recyclable and the by-products of the whisky-making process will be used on their own and neighbouring farms.

The business plan explained: "This plan shows that Knockhill Distillery has the potential to be successful, will immediately provide rural employment opportunities to local fabrication, plumbing and electrical firms, will provide up to 11 staff roles including trainee positions and has the possibility of creating a Fife tourist facility in the future with further employment opportunities.

"We aim to operate as a carbon neutral business from the outset and will adhere a strong requisite to purchase and support local producers."