Scotland may have to adopt wine as national drink
Global warming could spell end for whisky
Published:
Scotland could be forced to change its national drink from whisky to wine if global warming continues.
Soaring temperatures will create the perfect conditions for wine production in Scotland within the next 70 years, according to experts.
But the heat could spell the end of Scotland's original tipple because rising temperatures would make whisky ingredients difficult to grow.
Professor Richard Selley, of Imperial College London, said: “In Scotland by 2080 the increase will be something like two degrees, which means you would certainly be able to produce wine.
“Of course it will not be ideal for wheat and barley so we will all be drinking Icelandic whisky.
The Great Glen, Loch Ness and the Campsie Fells could one day rival California's Napa Valley creating varieties of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and even Champagne.
The professor said the first grape production vineyard could even be open for business in the next five years.
The news was welcomed by Highland plant growers.
Norrie MacLaren, of Ard Daraich Nursery, Ardnamurchan, said: “It is hard to imagine with the summer we are having at the moment that it would not be a good thing to grow vines. The plants we sell are changing because of global warming.
“I think it would be great – we could start selling vines.”
But some custodians of the land are doubtful that wine could be produced in the Highlands. Jan Jacob Baak, estate manager at Glenfintaig, in the Great Glen, said: “Growing grapes would be a big step. Even in France if you get a bad summer you don’t get a quality wine.
“A couple of vineyards in the south of England seem to be making progress, but in the north I think we are probably miles away from that.”
Meanwhile, the whisky industry is being forced to look at its sustainability.
David Williamson, of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: “The industry relies on its local natural environment.
“We watch very carefully the impact of a whole range of environmental circumstances.
At the moment the industry is examining its environmental sustainable strategy looking forward a number of decades.
