Record stats toasted by Muir centre
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A DISTILLERY'S role in boosting visitor numbers to Ross-shire is being toasted ahead of free tours being offered to mark a day celebrating whisky’s contribution to the world.
The Glen Ord distillery at Muir of Ord has seen visitor numbers surge by 28 per cent over the last year alone.
Since 2011, the number of visitors to the Diageo-owned distillery has more than doubled.
The company is reporting record visitor numbers to its 12 distillery sites across Scotland over the past year, declaring the industry to be in good spirits ahead of International Scotch Day, which is being marked for the second time on February 8.
Numbers visiting the acclaimed Glen Ord visitor centre increased from 27,136 in 2016 to 34,774 last year, figures released this year reveal. They have doubled since 2011 with a steady upward trajectory year on year.
The stats have been welcomed by VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead who said: "This is an amazing achievement and a testament to the hard work of staff to give visitors the best experience possible.
"Whisky is one of Scotland’s most valuable commodities with people from all over the world coming to our shores to experience an authentic Scottish dram. A culinary icon, it remains as important as ever to the tourism industry with one in five visitors making a trip to a whisky distillery during their stay and even more visiting a bar, pub or restaurant to sample our renowned national drink.
"Whisky tourism is a vital part of local tourism for many areas in Scotland, attracting visitors, creating jobs and sustaining communities."
To celebrate the second International Scotch Day, the distillery visitor centres will open their doors for free on February 8, 10 and 11. To sign up, visit www.diageo.com
