South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has praised the fantastic work of the Borders Distillery in Hawick for bringing jobs and visitors to the region.

The local MSP met with the distillery’s co-founder John Fordyce and Susanne Cameron-Nielsen, Head of Engagement at the Scotch Whisky Association to discuss all things whisky on 12 November.

Colin Smyth said: “It was great to meet with John and Susanne and get the chance to talk about the importance of distilleries such as the Borders Distillery for the economy here in the south of Scotland.

“The Borders Distillery opened in 2018 and it was the first time a distillery had opened in the Borders since 1837.

“Scotch whisky is a huge Scottish economic success story, with exports of £4 billion a year, creating 10,000 jobs directly across Scotland and supporting 40,000 jobs across the UK.

“But it’s more than that. There are over 130 distillers in Scotland, such as the wonderful Borders Distillery, and each have their own stories, producing unique whisky and bringing jobs and visitors to communities such as Hawick to share their own distillery experience.”

Susanne Cameron-Nielsen said: “We are very grateful to John and his team for hosting Colin’s visit.

“We look forward to continuing working with Colin, including in his role as Deputy Convener of the Cross Party Group on Scotch Whisky, to profile and support the Scotch Whisky industry and distillers like John and his team at the Borders Distillery.

“The industry has an ambitious net-zero aim by 2040 and the Borders Distillery exemplifies much of the work required to deliver on this.”