![\"Clynelish\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Clynelish.jpg\")
The distillery will continue to produce whisky<\/p>\nJohnnie Walker owner Diageo is considering the closure of the visitor centre at Clyneish Distillery, though whisky production will continue.<\/p>\n
The distillery will continue to produce whisky<\/p>\n
In a statement, a spokesperson from Diageo said: \u201cDiageo has made a significant investment of more than \u00a3185 million [US$258m] in our distillery visitor centres across Scotland, transforming and enhancing the Scotch whisky experience for visitors and supporting the communities in which we operate.<\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing a recent review, we have proposed changes to our visitor centre operations, which, regretfully, include a proposal to close the visitor centre at Clynelish.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are currently engaging with and supporting colleagues as part of this process. We can confirm that these proposals are unrelated to distillery operations, where production will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Diageo reopened the visitor centre in April 2021<\/a> after the Highland Council granted permission for a renovation<\/a> two years prior.<\/p>\n The renovations were part of Diageo\u2019s \u00a3185m (US$258) investment<\/a> in its Scotch whisky visitor experiences, described at the time as the \u2018biggest single investment\u2019 in Scotch tourism. Clynelish\u2019s visitor centre experience was fitted with an interactive story room, a \u2018modern\u2019 retail space and a terrace bar that looks over the hills of Brora.<\/p>\n The centre was branded as \u2018the Highland home of Johnnie Walker\u2019 and one of the \u2018four corners of Johnnie Walker\u2019 \u2013 alongside Cardhu<\/a>, Glenkinchie<\/a> and Caol Ila<\/a>. The blended Scotch whisky brand also has a visitor centre on Princes Street<\/a> in Edinburgh.<\/p>\n Diageo did not confirm how many jobs would be lost if the Clynelish centre closes.<\/p>\n \u2018Extremely disappointing\u2019<\/p>\n On X, Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, called the announcement \u201cextremely disappointing\u201d.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI\u2019m meeting with Diageo next week to discuss what led to the closure and what I can do in Westminster that could change these circumstances in such a way that they could consider reopening the centre.\u201d<\/p>\n Diageo\u2019s proposal is one of a number of cost-cutting and closure announcements in the Scotch industry over the past year, as the whisky sector deals with a downturn<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fife-based InchDairnie Distillery<\/a>, Ian Macleod Distillers-owned Rosebank<\/a>, Glenglassaugh<\/a> and Isle of Harris<\/a> have all looked into restructuring.<\/p>\n In November\u2019s autumn Budget<\/a>, the government confirmed that alcohol duty in the UK will rise again in February.<\/p>\n Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said the move will put \u201chuge additional pressure on a sector suffering job losses, stalled investment and business closures\u201d.<\/p>\n Related news<\/p>\n \n \n
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