Drinks firm Diageo plans to build a new whisky distillery in the highlands.
The plant could produce as much as 13 million litres of the spirit a year and is a key part of its five-year investment programme, the firm said.
It plans to build the distillery beside its existing one in Teaninich, near Alness, with 16 copper stills producing single malt for a range of its blended whisky brands.
Brian Donaghey, managing director for Diageo Scotland, said: “This announcement is a significant milestone in our £1 billion investment programme in Scotland to support the global growth of our Scotch whisky brands.”
A full planning application will be submitted to Highland Council and the plant could start to be built next year.
Up to 20 jobs could be created at the new distillery, Diageo said.
The firm, whose brands include Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka, Baileys, Tanqueray gin and Guinness, says it also plans to double capacity at the existing Teaninich distillery.
Brian Higgs, Diageo malt distilling director, said: “We are delighted to announce the next phase of investment in expanding our Scotch whisky production capacity in Scotland.
“It is a significant investment for the local economy around Alness and we look forward to working positively with Highland Council and the local community as we progress our plans.”
The firm is also investing about £30 million in new production facilities in Speyside, including substantially increasing capacity at its Mortlach distillery in Dufftown.
The work there “is the equivalent to building a new distillery”, Mr Higgs said.
“With other expansion work already under way, the Moray economy is benefiting significantly from Diageo’s investment in Scotch whisky distillation.”
The investments, begun last year, will also see the Glen Ord distillery near Muir of Ord expanded, as well as a new warehouse near Kirkcaldy.