Forbes hails ‘significant moment’ as she opens Ardgowan Distillery

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister has opened a new whisky distillery in Inverclyde.

Kate Forbes visited the Ardgowan Distillery near Inverkip on Friday, for what she described as a “significant moment for the region’s economy”.

She added: “Scotland’s whisky industry is a pivotal contributor to our positive global standing and provides great economic benefit, adding over £7 billion to the UK economy and generating £5.4 billion in exports alone.

“I congratulate the team at Ardgowan for the dedication they have shown on this journey and I wish them every success as they enter the next phase of their operations.”

Ms Forbes was joined by chief executive Roland Grain and distillery manager Laura Davies at the opening of the building, the first distillery in Inverclyde since the last was destroyed in the Blitz in 1941.

The building – which took eight years from design to opening – has a roof of 97% recycled aluminium and the firm hopes to push for carbon neutrality.

Mr Grain said: “After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members.

“Our commitment to quality is demonstrated by investing millions of pounds in our bespoke infinity casks years before the distillery was built.

“Producing whisky is all about time and patience, so, as we fill our first casks and the Deputy First Minister opens the site to the public, we look forward to steadily perfecting our single malt in the years to come.”