Glenlivet Distillery Visitor centre celebrates a decade of excellence

Press release issued: 25th July 2008

Staff at The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre are celebrating a decade of excellence after being awarded a top visitor attraction award from Visit Scotland for the fifth time in row.

The Five Star Award is awarded as part of the Visit Scotland Quality Assurance Scheme. Judged every two years, the scheme was set up to inform tourists about the quality of Scotland's visitor attractions and accommodation facilities.  Quality Advisors assess every visitor attraction outlet in Scotland by visiting the venue, without prior notice, and rating it against a wide range of criteria, including ease of access, interior layout and staff efficiency. 

Set high in the hills of Speyside, The Glenlivet Distillery and Visitor Centre - home to 'the single malt that started it all' - has developed a top class visitor centre where visitors can enjoy a range of exciting activities including an interactive exhibition showcasing the beautiful and remote surroundings of the distillery. They can also learn about the fascinating story of George Smith and his successors' dedication to creating the brand which is the biggest selling malt in the dynamic US market. 

Visitor Centre Manager Caroline Mitchell commented: "We are thrilled to have held the Five Star status award for the past ten years. Our staff work hard to ensure that every visitor to the centre has a fun and enjoyable experience. Their enthusiasm and knowledge of The Glenlivet range and of the Scotch whisky making process help to make our tours unique, fun and enjoyable for all our visitors.

She added: The Quality Advisor who visited the distillery anonymously commented that she was delighted to receive such a warm and friendly welcome to the distillery by our employees and we believe they help us to stand out as a top class visitor attraction."

Visitor Centre Supervisor Betty Munro who has worked at The Glenlivet for the past 20 years said: "It is great that we have won the award again and I hope that every visitor and Scotch whisky lover, who comes to the distillery, leaves us knowing a little bit more about this exciting industry."

This latest award follows the Visitor Centre's recognition in the Icons' of Whisky Awards last year. With an increase in visitor numbers of 9.5% in 2007 compared to 2006, next year will see The Glenlivet appeal to even more visitors as the country gears up for Homecoming Scotland; an inspirational celebration of all things Scottish including culture, heritage and, of course, single malt Scotch whisky.

In addition to taking part in a tour, visitors can follow in the footsteps of Glenlivet's legendary whisky smugglers via one of the three trails which were re-opened last summer. As well as providing a rare insight into Glenlivet's days of illicit distilling, the Smugglers' Trails open up the glen's majestic beauty with glimpses of its elusive wildlife with something to suit everyone.

Recent figures released by Scotland Whisky showed that Scottish distilleries attracted on average 1.2 million visitors in 2007. In monetary terms, this translates as a substantial £22.4m contribution to the economy.  Additionally, the figures highlighted that nearly a quarter of the five star visitor attractions in Scotland are distilleries, further highlighting the importance of Scotch whisky in the Scottish tourism industry.