The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has celebrated the opening of its new Edinburgh head office, marking the continuing success of one of the country’s most significant industries.

The new office in the Quartermile area of Edinburgh was officially opened by Deputy First Minister John Swinney in January. The SWA believes this symbolised the partnership between the Scottish government and one of Scotland’s biggest industries.

The new location provides a showcase for the Scotch whisky industry, which directly employs more than 10,000 people in Scotland, contributes £5 billion in value to the UK economy each year and is worth around £4 billion in exports.

Swinney says, “Scotch whisky is not only a fascinating product but is crucial to the Scottish economy for the revenue it generates and for the employment it creates – especially in some of Scotland’s most rural and remote communities.

“I am pleased to be officially opening the new offices of the Scotch Whisky Association, which has been championing the industry for more than 100 years, and continues to promote its members interests. Scotch whisky is quite rightly world famous and, as one of our most iconic products, key to our ambition to grow the economy and I would like to thank the SWA for the role it has played in whisky’s continuing global success.”