A GLOBAL whisky business is set to relocate to the traditional “birthplace” of Scotch whisky.
Scotch Whisky Investments (SWI), currently located near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, has acquired the site of its proposed development in Falkland, Fife.
Those behind the company say they aim to educate people about the history of single malt Scotch whisky, whilst boosting the local economy and promoting investment.
The proposals include a new corporate headquarters building with hospitality, offices, some retail units and a number of cottages for investors, visitors and staff.
If built, the headquarters will sit on a 10-acre site but will occupy only 40% of the land.
The company said it plans to bring one of the world’s largest whisky collections to the site when it opens.
Keith Rennie, managing director of SWI, said he was “delighted” to have taken a “significant step forward” in relocating their headquarters to Scotland, adding that it also comes with “one of the world’s largest whisky collections.”
He continued: “Our vision as a company is to showcase and educate people about single malt Scotch whisky.”
A planning application for the site is expected to be submitted by the end of the year, with construction expected to start in late 2024 if approved.
The site was formerly a linoleum factory, and was then taken over by a paper bag manufacturer before it closed in 2013, after which it was demolished.
SWI already has developments based in Fife, which owners say is the traditional “birthplace” of Scotch whisky.
This includes a bottling plant in Auchtermuchty, which produces approximately 6000 bottles of whisky per week.
The company is also developing a site at Glenrothes which is expected to be launched next month.
SWI say they plan to expand from four maturation warehouses to 27, which could hold up to 200,000 casks.
The development has cost £10 million and has received £850,000 in grants from Scottish Enterprise.
Rennie added that the development would create jobs and boost local tourism.
He added: “Through the relocation of our global headquarters, complemented by our facilities elsewhere in Fife, considerable employment and tourism opportunities will be delivered not just for the Kingdom, but for Scotland as a whole.”
