Stone calls on Prime Minister to boost Scotch Whisky in trade negotiations with China

Following the news that Diageo will close the visitor centre at its Clynelish Distillery in Brora, Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has written to the Prime Minister ahead of his visit to China, to impress the importance of a favourable deal for Scotch Whisky.

Last week, Diageo - a British multinational alcoholic beverage company - announced that it is proposing to shut the visitor centre, which underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment four years ago.

Mr Stone has met with a representative from the company to discuss the reasons behind the closure and the possibility of the visitor centre re-opening in the future. A member of Diageo’s corporate relations team explained that the Scotch Whisky industry is experiencing a challenging period driven by uncertainty around high-stakes trade disputes, falling global demand, and rising production costs. This has made it financially unsustainable to keep certain branches in less busy areas open - such as the visitor centre in Brora.

Concerning job losses, Mr Stone was reassured that Diageo were working to find other positions in their distilleries for those being made redundant.

Consequently, Mr Stone has written to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, to remind him that there is a huge opportunity to sell Scottish whisky to a vast market in China, in the hope that a favourable trade deal can be negotiated with regards to Scotland's exports.

Commenting, Mr Stone said:

“In a remote part of the UK, such as Sutherland, every job counts. In the Highlands, the Scotch Whisky industry is a significant employer - and employment is what keeps our country ticking.

“That is why I’ve raised this issue with the Prime Minister ahead of negotiations in China. It is about employment and prosperity in the Far North, but it also concerns our country as a whole.

“Diageo have reassured me that they are looking for alternative employment for those that will lose their jobs in Brora - and I will be checking in on the progress of this matter. My hope is that the visitor centre can re-open in the future. But for now, a favourable trade deal for the Scotch Whisky industry will be a significant step in the right direction.”