MSPs joined in on celebrations yesterday at the Scottish Parliament which marked the success of Scotch whisky.
The event came as the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) revealed the number of distilleries in operation is at the highest level in 70 years.
With global demand for Scotch greater than ever before, the latest SWA figures show there are now 128 distillers across Scotland’s five different whisky regions – the most since 1945.
The announcement is the latest record broken by the Scotch whisky industry. Earlier this year, the SWA revealed the industry’s highest ever export figures – more than £4.37bn in exports being sent to over 180 countries across the globe.
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A record number of tourists visiting Scotch Whisky distillery visitor centres was also recorded with more than 1.9 million visits took take place in 2017.
MSP for Moray Richard Lochhead, who hosted the event at the Scottish Parliament, said: “The Scotch whisky industry continues to set records this year, with record exports, record tourism numbers and now a post-war record for operating distilleries.
“I know how each of the new distilleries across Scotland will bring vital investment and employment to communities, especially in rural areas.”
Karen Betts, CEO at the SWA, also spoke at the Holyrood event. She said: “This is great news for the Scotch Whisky industry, as well as the Scottish economy... It’s imperative that the Government ensures that the right conditions are in place for distilleries to invest and capitalise on the growing popularity of Scotch right across the globe.”
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