Diageo plans to shut Clynelish visitor centre
Johnnie Walker owner Diageo is considering the closure of the visitor centre at Clyneish Distillery, though whisky production will continue.
In a statement, a spokesperson from Diageo said: “Diageo has made a significant investment of more than £185 million [US$258m] in our distillery visitor centres across Scotland, transforming and enhancing the Scotch whisky experience for visitors and supporting the communities in which we operate.
“Following a recent review, we have proposed changes to our visitor centre operations, which, regretfully, include a proposal to close the visitor centre at Clynelish.
“We are currently engaging with and supporting colleagues as part of this process. We can confirm that these proposals are unrelated to distillery operations, where production will continue.”
Diageo reopened the visitor centre in April 2021 after the Highland Council granted permission for a renovation two years prior.
The renovations were part of Diageo’s £185m (US$258) investment in its Scotch whisky visitor experiences, described at the time as the ‘biggest single investment’ in Scotch tourism. Clynelish’s visitor centre experience was fitted with an interactive story room, a ‘modern’ retail space and a terrace bar that looks over the hills of Brora.
The centre was branded as ‘the Highland home of Johnnie Walker’ and one of the ‘four corners of Johnnie Walker’ – alongside Cardhu, Glenkinchie and Caol Ila. The blended Scotch whisky brand also has a visitor centre on Princes Street in Edinburgh.
Diageo did not confirm how many jobs would be lost if the Clynelish centre closes.
‘Extremely disappointing’
On X, Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, called the announcement “extremely disappointing”.
He said: “I’m meeting with Diageo next week to discuss what led to the closure and what I can do in Westminster that could change these circumstances in such a way that they could consider reopening the centre.”
Diageo’s proposal is one of a number of cost-cutting and closure announcements in the Scotch industry over the past year, as the whisky sector deals with a downturn.
Fife-based InchDairnie Distillery, Ian Macleod Distillers-owned Rosebank, Glenglassaugh and Isle of Harris have all looked into restructuring.
In November’s autumn Budget, the government confirmed that alcohol duty in the UK will rise again in February.
Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said the move will put “huge additional pressure on a sector suffering job losses, stalled investment and business closures”.
Related news
Wolfie's whisky ad challenges Dry January
Glencadam whisky gets makeover
Witchmark: how history is influencing the future of English whisky
