Date: 18 June 2009 BROCKLEBANK WELCOMES NEWS THAT THE WHOLE WHISKY INDUSTRY WILL BE REPRESENTED AT HOMECOMING’S ‘THE GATHERING’ Ted Brocklebank MSP, Shadow Minister for Culture, has been in contact with the organisers of ‘The Gathering’, one of the main Homecoming events, and the world’s biggest whisky company, Diageo, over a newspaper report which stated that other whisky producers had been banned from showcasing their products at ‘The Gathering’.
Commenting, Ted said;
“It was particularly concerning to read reports that Diageo’s sponsorship of ‘The Gathering’ would be to the exclusion of all other whisky brands at the event. ‘The Gathering’ is set to be one of the highlights of the Homecoming celebrations and will be attended by visitors from around the globe. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase Scotland’s whisky and it would be a pity if only Diageo whiskies were available for sample and purchase.
“However, I have been informed by the organisers of ‘The Gathering’ and Diageo that, whilst Diageo’s sponsorship of the event does contain an exclusivity agreement, there will be a wide variety of non-Diageo whisky brands available for sample and purchase. One of Scotland’s leading independent retailers, Royal Mile Whiskies, will be promoting different brands of whisky from across Scotland, ensuring the whole industry is well represented.
“Diageo is an important employer in Scotland, especially at its bottling plants in Fife, and it has a history of working with other whisky producers to promote the Scotch whisky industry. It should be commended for its sponsorship of ‘The Gathering’, and its positive decision to allow other Scotch whisky brands to be promoted and sold at such an important event.”
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