The Scottish distilling industry contributes £1.6 billion in duty and tax to the UK Exchequer and supports 68,000 jobs (11,000 directly) in the UK, according to a report unveiled in Glasgow today.

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Distillers spend £1 billion a year with suppliers and are presently investing in excess of £100m in new production and tourist facilities which backs up the industry’s annual export of one billion bottles of Scotch.


Ian Good, Chairman of The Scotch Whisky Association said: “Government support is invaluable if the industry is to ensure that it continues to play a key role in the economic success of Scotland and for Scotch Whisky to remain a worldwide market leader. With one job in every 50 dependent on our national drink, the crucial importance of the Scotch whisky industry to the economy as a whole is vividly illustrated by today’s study. 


“In recent weeks, there has been bad news on the employment front for Scottish manufacturing and export-related jobs, notably in sunrise industries. But this report shows Scotch Whisky is an internationally competitive indigenous industry and we are confident that we will continue to build upon this to grow sales overseas.  


“This confidence is clearly shown by the significant investments made by distillers in recent years in state-of-the-art production facilities, modern high-speed bottling lines and interactive visitor centres. Investment underpins the long-term sustainability of jobs in the industry, benefits the economy and is vitally important to rural communities.”

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The report also highlights the increased consolidation of UK white spirits production in Scotland.  Edwin Atkinson, director general of the Gin and Vodka Association, said: “Building on the distilling industry’s investment in local facilities, white spirits production in Scotland is creating more jobs and boosting the economy. With over 70% of UK gin and vodka now being bottled in Scotland, white spirits production north of the border supports 3,250 UK jobs.”