MSP Mckelvie hosts gin event

The Scottish Parliament played host to some of the country’s finest gin producers in an evening to toast the success of Scotland’s gin industry.

The Wine and Spirit Trade Association event, sponsored by Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina Mckelvie, welcomed MSPS to learn more about Scotland’s rich gin history and meet the people behind the brands.

Guests were able to taste the awardwinning gins, some of which use locally-sourced botanicals such as apple mint and bladderwick seaweed to produce a uniquely Scottish flavour.

The Scots have a long and rich history of gin distilling which saw the country open 12 new distilleries last year, representing a quarter of all new distilleries opened up across the UK, the equivalent of a of new distillery every month, according to HMRC.

The WSTA Scotland Gin trail, launched earlier this year, showcases some of the best distillers making gin in the lowlands all the way up to the Highlands and Islands.

Ms Mckelvie said:“this event is an opportunity to celebrate Scotland’s gin industry by meeting the very people behind the brands.

“Distilleries provide vital infrastructure to rural economies and create muchneeded skilled jobs.

“I am delighted to be able to host this event amongst colleagues so we can all toast the success of a vital industry.”

Chief executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale, said:”nationally and internationally, UK gin is growing both its sales and its reputation at phenomenal speed. Gin production is worth £1.76 billion to the United Kingdom’s economy.”