Hansard

I, too, thank Gordon MacDonald for bringing to the chamber this important debate on these significant issues and the project. I also thank members for their diverse contributions, which I will try to respond to in summing up.

In Scotland, brewing and distilling are not just industries—they are, as colleagues have emphasised, part of our national story. They are woven into our identity, our economy and our global reputation. Scotland’s higher education system is equally iconic, sharing the same spirit of excellence, innovation and drive to nurture talent that enables our nation to thrive in a competitive world.

Whisky, in particular, is hugely important to our economy, with more than £5 billion in exports to around 170 countries and territories. The industry provides £7.1 billion in gross value added to the UK economy, and in most countries around the world, you cannot go into a bar without seeing a bit of Scotland on the shelf. That is remarkable, and it is important that we continue to support and preserve it.

The sector employs more than 41,000 people in Scotland, and its reach into every corner of the country means that, in our rural and island communities, brewing and distilling often provide many of the high-skilled, well-paid and secure employment opportunities. Those jobs sustain local economies and communities, and we should all celebrate and seek to continue that.

Heriot-Watt University’s international centre for brewing and distilling represents a significant fusion of the two great Scottish strengths: industry and education. Since the centre was established in 1989, it has, as members have emphasised, connected cutting-edge innovation with industry to deliver real-world impact. Its evolution into a centre for sustainable brewing and distilling is in line with the Government’s net zero ambitions and cements Heriot Watt’s status as a pioneering powerhouse in that sphere. It also ties in with the industry's vision, as set out in the Scotch Whisky Association’s sustainability strategy, to play its part in reducing emissions. I will be pleased to engage with Heriot-Watt University on its proposals, and the need to continue to develop skills, in my dialogue with it.

Heriot-Watt’s impact is wide. For example, the Deputy First Minister visited Ardgowan Distillery, where joint research with the university is improving efficiency, cutting costs and reducing emissions in the distillation process. That is a win for business and for the planet. The research was supported by the Scottish food and drink net zero challenge fund as part of a £130,000 package from the Scottish Government in 2022. To maintain our position as a world leader in brewing and distilling, we must harness every opportunity that is available to us to enhance and support those industries. One of Scotland’s greatest strengths is its diversity and capacity for innovation. Those qualities are nurtured by Heriot-Watt University, and we need to build on them.

We have an incredible range of producers, from large-scale distillers—some of which have been mentioned—crafting some of the world’s finest whisky, gin, vodka and rum to a tapestry of brewers. Those producers span the length of the country and are leading the way as part of a traditional industry embracing different and sustainable practices. For example, the Black Isle Brewery is proudly certified as organic and as a B corp; it is one of the places that I really want to visit. We also have Tennent’s Wellpark brewery, which is powered entirely by renewable energy, eliminating more than 4,200 tonnes of CO₂ annually from its network.

In my constituency, I know that the sector’s value is clear. The Port of Leith Distillery—which is, as was mentioned, the world’s first vertical distillery—is a remarkable success. We also have a thriving craft beer scene, with Moonwake Beer Co, Newbarns Brewery, Campervan Brewery, Pilot Beer and Cold Town Beer—along with Bellfield, just over my constituency boundary—each creating unique products that reach national and international markets.