07711 278886 / 01224 506143 info@idiservices.co.uk

Forsyths at Macallan

 Forsyths at Macallan Distillery – Craigellachie 

 

CASE STUDY: Precision Lifting Inside a World-Famous Still House

IDI Services Supports Forsyths at The Macallan Distillery, Craigellachie

Client Profile

Forsyths of Rothes are renowned coppersmiths and engineers, building and maintaining stills for distilleries around the world. At The Macallan's striking distillery at Craigellachie on Speyside, with its circular still house and timber roof, Forsyths needed to lift large copper components up through the building to the still platform.

The Challenge

Working inside one of the most recognisable distilleries in Scotland meant meeting demanding requirements:

  • Copper components had to be raised from the ground floor up through the open centre of the circular still platform
  • The space was ringed by stainless pipework, pumps, walkways and existing copper stills
  • Polished copper had to be protected from any knock or scratch
  • The architectural timber roof and lighting limited headroom
  • The crane had to enter and work indoors without damaging the floor

The Solution

IDI Services designed a comprehensive approach using our specialist equipment and expertise:

Phase 1: Survey and Equipment Selection

  • Surveyed the still house with Forsyths to confirm floor loadings and lifting heights
  • Selected one of IDI Services' compact crawler cranes that could fit through the building and lift within the circular void

Phase 2: Positioning the Crane

  • Tracked the crawler crane into the still house and positioned it centrally beneath the platform
  • Checked clearances to pipework and walkways on every side

Phase 3: Lifting the Copper Components

  • Rigged the copper sections with soft slings to protect the finish
  • Raised each load vertically through the centre of the platform
  • Fed the components to Forsyths' team at platform level for fitting

Phase 4: Demobilisation

  • Lowered the boom and tracked the crane back out of the building
  • Left the still house clean and ready for Forsyths to complete the installation

The Results

The project was completed with excellent outcomes:

  • Copper components lifted into position without a mark
  • No contact with surrounding pipework, stills or walkways
  • Indoor lifting completed safely in a high-profile setting
  • Forsyths' installation programme kept on track

The IDI Advantage

This project shows the value of IDI Services' compact crawler cranes in sensitive indoor environments. Their small footprint and fine control let us lift where a larger crane could never go.

For precision lifting in distilleries and process plants, contact IDI Services today.