As Americans celebrate Thanksgiving, Glasgow opens the doors to the new Clydeside Distillery.
Sitting on the banks of the River Clyde, by the Riverside Museum, the Hydro Arena and the SECC, the distillery is expected to be popular with locals and tourists.
This area was formerly Queen’s Dock. Opened during the reign of Queen Victoria it was one of Glasgow’s most famous shipping ports. The distillery was once the Pump House, controlling entry to the dock.
It is one of Glasgow’s most iconic buildings. The transformation from pump house to distillery has cost £10.5 million, creating the first producing single malt distillery there for over 100 years.
Morrison Glasgow Distillers Ltd whom began the project in 2012 is led by Tim Morrison and his son Andrew.
Tim said: “This is an exciting day for Glasgow and the Scotch whisky industry. After more than a century copper stills are once again producing spirit on the banks of the Clyde.”
Those stills are sitting pride of place. They can be seen from outside the distillery, whilst the still house offers guests a view across the Clyde.
The five-star visitor centre features an interactive whisky experience, tasting room mezzanine, shop and café. It also offers 140 years of history regarding the local area through pictures and film.
The distillery is already giving reasons to be thankful.
Tim said: “For me and my family there is a very personal link, my great grandfather built the Queen’s Dock where The Clydeside Distillery now sits.”
Andrew said: “This project has been a labour or love and I’m very proud to see the distillery now open. Today marks a vision to put Glasgow back on the Scotch whisky map.”
Distillery Manager, Alistair McDonald joined the team this year to oversee production. With more than 30 years in the industry Alistair said: “This is an incredibly exciting and historic project. To join from the beginning, creating our new make spirit, is very special and a dream coming true.”
Tim also said: “We’re incredibly proud to open our doors to the public. We’re looking forward to the future and seeing whisky produced in the heart of Glasgow once again.”
