Murdo has highlighted the opening of new whisky distilleries in Fife as part of the “success story” of Scotch whisky.
During a recent Members’ Business on Celebrating Scotland’s Iconic Scotch Whisky Industry held in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament, Murdo specifically referenced Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh and the Eden Mill St Andrews Distillery in Guardbridge.
Speaking in the debate, Murdo said: “We have heard a lot about the success story and the growth of Scotch whisky. In 2023, exports topped £5.6 billion. Scotch Whisky now represents 77% of Scottish food and drink exports, 26% of UK food and drink exports and 2% of all UK exports, so it is of considerable value to Scotland and the wider UK economy.
“One of the interesting developments that we have seen in recent years, which is very encouraging, has been the opening of a large number of new distilleries. Some of us who are old enough might remember that, back in the 1970s and 1980s, there was a trend of distilleries closing and being mothballed. The fact that trend is now being reversed is very encouraging.
“I can give a couple of examples of that from my region of Mid Scotland and Fife. There is Lindores Abbey Distillery at Newburgh, which is a very exciting new development. It is not just a whisky distillery but a visitor attraction that is bringing people to the local area in large numbers. There is also the Eden Mill St Andrews Distillery at Guardbridge, which is part of the new University of St Andrews campus.
“As well as producing gin and whisky, it provides a new visitor experience with a shop and café. It is so encouraging to see the growth of new distilleries in parts of Scotland outwith areas such as the Highlands and Islands and in areas where there was not a tradition of whisky distillation – it is good that other parts of Scotland are now benefiting.”
Murdo continued: “Another development we have seen is the opportunity to open new markets for whisky. The Scotch Whisky Association is focused on particular on India, which represents a great opportunity. There are one billion people in India, and it is a country with a very dynamic and growing economy and an expanding middle-class. People have a lot of money to spend and whisky is seen as a premium and attractive product, but it currently suffers from very high tariff barriers.
“If there is an opportunity for the UK to do a trade deal with India, that would be very much to the benefit of the whisky industry and Scotland more generally.”
