A new whisky distillery on the banks of the Clyde in Glasgow is opening its doors to the public for the first time.
The Clydeside Distillery at the eastern edge of the Glasgow Harbour district will be welcoming visitors from today.
Production at the £10.5m complex housed in the converted former dock Pump House started last month.
It's the first time whisky has been produced in the area for more than 100 years.
Sitting on the site formerly known as The Queen’s Dock, The Pump House includes a 5-star visitor centre with interactive whisky experience, shop and café.
Visitors will have Glasgow’s links to the whisky industry brought to life through words, pictures and film.
The Clydeside Distillery’s chairman Tim Morrison is the great grandson of John Morrison, who originally built The Queen’s Dock in 1877.
Tim said: “This is an exciting day for Glasgow and the Scotch whisky industry.
"After more than a century copper stills are producing spirit on the banks of the Clyde and we’re incredibly proud to be able to open our doors to the public.
“Glasgow has an affinity with Scotch whisky unlike any other city in the world with The Queen’s Dock previously witnessing the exports of whisky with ships sailing past the Pump House destined for all continents of the world.
“Of course for me and my family there is a very personal link knowing that my great grandfather built The Queen’s Dock where The Clydeside Distillery now sits.
"We’re looking forward to the future and seeing whisky produced in the heart of Glasgow once again.”
The stunning copper stills will produce a high quality Lowland single malt Scotch whisky.
The project to transform The Pump House into an operational whisky distillery began in 2012 and has been spearheaded by Tim and his son Andrew, the distillery’s commercial director.
'LABOUR OF LOVE'
Andrew Morrison said: “This project has been a labour of love and I’m very proud to see The Clydeside Distillery now open.
"Today marks the culmination of a long-standing vision to put Glasgow back on the Scotch whisky map.
“We are passionate about using traditional methods to produce our whisky, albeit with a bit of modern technology.
"We’re combining this with the skills of our distillers to ensure we stay true to the techniques employed for hundreds of years.
“We want to welcome everyone, from Glasgow natives and Scottish whisky lovers to international whisky enthusiasts, tourists and those who are visiting the city.
"Glasgow has a long and special relationship with Scotch whisky and our visitor experience will bring this to life.”
Hypostyle Architects designed the building and builders McLaughlin and Harvey carried out the work with project managers Thomas & Adamson. Bright3D created the visitor experience.
The two copper stills, each weighing around two tonnes, were crafted by the internationally-renowned Scottish coppersmiths, Forsyths of Moray and delivered to the site in March.
Around 25 jobs have been created at The Clydeside Distillery.
Alistair McDonald, Distillery Manager, has over 30 years of knowledge and experience in the whisky industry.
The distillery will be be able to host events from wedding receptions to corporate drinks functions and dinners.
The tasting room, located on the mezzanine level, opens up to create a stunning, bespoke space for 40-200 guests.
For more information, visit: www.theclydeside.com
