The Glen Ord Distillery in the Highlands reopened today with tourism secretary Fergus Ewing receiving a tour.
The minister marked the reopening of the visitor experience as part of drinks giant Diageo’s phased reopening of whisky brand homes.
New comprehensive safety measures have been implemented in response to Covid-19 at Glen Ord Distillery, the home of the Singleton single malt, in Muir of Ord.
Mr Ewing, the rural secretary for rural economy and tourism, said: “It’s great to be able to get back out and enjoy visits like this again, and I very much welcome the opportunity to mark the reopening of Glen Ord distillery for visitors.
“It is an example of some of the fantastic attractions that Scotland has to offer as our tourism sector slowly and carefully starts to resume activity across the country, with the vital economic benefits that brings.”
He added: “However, it is worth noting that visitor attractions, like this one, will look different as businesses implement safety measures to protect visitors and staff, which includes limiting the number of people inside at any one time.
“If people are planning to visit an attraction they should make sure they contact them or check their website first, so they are aware of all the measures in place and can plan accordingly.”
The reopening of Glen Ord Distillery is part of the global drinks company’s phased approach to welcoming back visitors to 12 of its Scotch whisky distillery brand homes across Scotland.
The company has a £185m investment programme to transform its Scotch Whisky visitor experiences.
This includes investment in its 12 distillery visitor centres and the revival of the iconic distilleries of Port Ellen and Brora.
Mr Ewing was led on his tour of the distillery by managing director of Diageo’s brand homes, Barbara Smith, and Glen Ord brand home manager, Alastair Orr.
As part of the measures introduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, guests are asked to pre-book, have their temperature taken before the tour, there will be a one way system with hand sanitiser stations and physical distancing throughout.
Diageo brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
It products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
