Whisky will now flow on both sides of the Clyde
Distillery is latest in mini boom of new Scottish plants
A new Glasgow whisky distillery has been announced in the latest stage of a mini boom in plants across Scotland.
The Douglas Laing & Co development in Govan will be on the opposite bank of the Clyde from the Clydeside Distillery, which is due to open this autumn.
The £10.7 million plans by Laing, an independent bottler, include a visitor centre, bar and bistro on a derelict site near Glasgow Science Centre which is expected to launch by the end of next year.
Funding includes an £855,000 grant from the Scottish Government.
The company said the Pacific Quay site would create 38 jobs, increasing the workforce to 60, with a new head office being part of the complex. A whisky laboratory and archive will also be established.
Water will be piped from Loch Katrine in the Trossachs, which supplies Glasgow, to launch a new malt.
Laing plans to use the distillery to increase sales in China and the United States.
The firm, which exports to more than 50 countries, is the latest independent bottler to secure its own distillery, following the likes of Adelphi on Ardnamurchan and Wemyss Malts at Kingsbarns in Fife. Another will be on Islay.
The firm’s director of whisky is Cara Laing, the granddaughter of its founder, and one of the youngest members of the Keeper of the Quaich, an exclusive society which recognises those who have made outstanding commitment to the industry.
She is also an ambassador for the UK government’s #notjustforboys campaign to encourage more women to work in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Ms Laing said: “We have long held this ambition for the company to operate its own distill- ery and bottling operation. “We are proud of our Glasgow heritage and the company, founded and based in the city, are delighted to announce this project on the banks of the Clyde.”
Rosemary Gallagher, a spokeswoman for the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “It’s great news to hear about another new Scotch whisky distillery. It’s a sign of confidence in the industry and reflects increasing global demand for Scotch.
“More than a dozen new distilleries have opened on the last three years and we know of up to 40 more at various stages of planning and development. This is a boost for the economy, including tourism.”