Diageo has received permission from Argyll and Bute Council to upgrade its Caol Ila Distillery in Islay, Scotland.

The upgrade is said to be part of Diageo’s £150m ($215m) investment in Scotch whisky tourism, which was announced in April last year.

Caol Ila is said to be one of four Scotch whisky distilleries owned by Diageo and selected to represent different areas in Scotland as part of the company’s tourism investment plans.

“We want to thank Argyll and Bute Council and all our neighbours for their support.”

Caol Ila Distillery brand home manager Leigh Aitken said: “This is very exciting news and we want to thank Argyll and Bute Council and all our neighbours for their support. Everyone involved is now very much looking forward to work getting underway.

“This is a major investment project that will not only transform the Caol Ila visitor experience but will add further to Islay’s reputation as the greatest whisky island in the world.”

Work at the site is expected to begin over the next few weeks. As part of the upgrade, Diageo will construct a visitor centre inside the Caol Ila warehouse with a bar looking out across the Sound of Islay.

Upon completion, Caol Ila Distillery visitor will enter the facility through the roof of the distillery warehouse by crossing a new footbridge, which will be connected to the new car park.

Caol Ila Distillery makes single malt Scotch whisky for Johnnie Walker.

The other three Diageo-owned distilleries that are part of the tourism investment plan are Glenkinchie in the Lowlands, Cardhu in Speyside and Clynelish in the Highlands.